The news was confirmed by the group’s label, Big Hit Music, who wrote: “After the phenomenal concert to support Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030, and as each member embarks on solo endeavours, it’s the perfect time and the members of BTS are honoured to serve.”
Their message was referring to BTS’ ‘Yet To Come’ concert, held in the Korean port city of Busan, which was viewed by more than 49 million people on Saturday.
Consisting of RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, the Grammy-nominated group are expected to reunite in “around 2025” following their military service, as per Sky News.
The military duty in the country applies to all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28, who must carry out between 18 and 21 months of service.
Exemptions are made, however, for athletes, musicians and dancers who have won in competitions that boost the global standing of the country.
Tottenham Hotspur striker, Son Heung-min, for instance, was excused of serving the longer 21-month service in 2020 after helping the country achieve Gold at the Asian Games. He served a minimum three-week service instead.
Yet despite significant debate in the country as to whether BTS should follow a similar path, that’s not the route they’ve taken and they will no complete the full military service. This comes even after a bill was passed in 2020 by South Korea’s parliament, which allows K-Pop stars to delay the upper age bracket for serving military duty to 30.
[공지] 방탄소년단 병역 이행 및 향후 활동 계획 안내 (+ENG/JPN/CHN) pic.twitter.com/jntF90agO4
— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) October 17, 2022
Jin, 29, the oldest member of the group will be the first to serve, later this month, after the release of his solo work is wrapped up.
“Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans,” Big Hit added in their statement.
