The members of the famous K-Pop group, which generated billions of dollars for the South Korean economy, had already benefited from a revision of the conscription law in 2020.
Le Monde
The announcement puts an end to a national debate in South Korea. The members of the famous K-Pop BTS group will honor their military obligations, announced, on Monday, October 17, their Bighit Music label in a press release, which specifies that the artists “are advancing in their plans to complete their military service “.
BTS generated billions of dollars for the South Korean economy and the profits of the label continued to climb despite the pandemic and the decrease in the number of concerts. But the prospect of military service is closer to the members of the group, with Jin, 29, who must present themselves by December under penalty of being imprisoned.
Because refusing to perform your mandatory service is liable to imprisonment in South Korea. All valid South Korean men under 30 must carry out about two years of service, mainly because the country remains in principle at war with North Korea.
“As everyone is embarking on solo projects, it’s the ideal moment and BTS members are honored to serve” their country, said the agency’s press release. “Jin will launch the process as soon as (…) his solo album will be completed, at the end of October”, specifies the agency, while “the other members of the group plan to do their military service according to their own individual plans “.
Jin had announced the release of his solo album during a concert in Busan last Saturday. In June, the Septuor announced a break as a group to devote itself to solo projects.
BTS has already benefited from a revision of the conscription law in 2020, which postponed the age limit from 28 to 30 years for certain artists. Exemptions from military service are granted to certain elite athletes, such as Olympic medalists, and classic musicians – but pop stars are not entitled to it.
The Minister of Defense of Seoul said in August that BTS could be authorized to continue to occur and prepare for international concerts while fulfilling its military obligations.