Jersey Fans React: BTS K-Pop Star Headed for Mandatory Military Service
The top story for “What’s Trending” with Joel and Maryann in the Morning this morning is disappointing for K-Pop fans.
In South Korea, all men between the ages of eighteen and twenty-eight years of age must serve for about two years in the military. There are some exceptions, and, according to bbc.com, the members of the K-Pop band BTS were given special dispensation and were permitted “to put off starting their military service until they turned 30.” The oldest member of the group, Jin, is currently 29 and will be entering the military soon. The band’s management announced that Jin will start the process of military service in about a month, and all members will, one by one, serve their country of South Korea. The country is technically still at war with neighboring North Korea; which is the main reason South Korea “retains compulsory military service.”
“The K-pop group has been the world’s best-selling artist for the past two years; known for catchy, upbeat hits like Dynamite and Butter. They’ve also been praised for their advocacy on young people’s mental health.” Many South Koreans view them as national treasures with many feeling they should be exempt from military service so they can continue to perform because of the positive representation they provide for their homeland. This isn’t an unusual request, exemptions have previously been given to “Olympic medalists and other high-achieving sports stars, classical musicians, and dancers.”
Due to the military requirement, their management has conveyed that the band will probably not be together for several years. They also said, “Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment.” There is good news for fans considering the situation; South Korea’s Minister of National Defense is considering allowing the band members to perform while they’re enlisted.
