BTS Members To Serve Military Duty in South Korea

Members of the world famous K-pop band ”BTS” will serve their mandatory military duties under South Korean law. Their management company made the announcement on Monday, meaning the members will officially join the South Korean army. That news effectively ends a debate of whether the K-pop stars might be exempted because of their artistic accomplishments.

The announcement came after Lee Ki Sik, commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, told lawmakers this month that it would be “desirable” for BTS members to fulfil their military duties to ensure fairness in the country’s military service.

In South Korea, all physically capable men between the ages of 18 to 28 must serve in the military for 21 months. The country retains compulsory military service mainly because it is still technically at war with North Korea.

The band had previously won a deferral to postpone their duties. Back in 2020, South Korea’s parliament passed a bill allowing the K-pop stars to delay their duties until the age of 30. However, the oldest member, Jin, is now 29.

BTS members to undertake conscription steps

Jin, BTS’s oldest member, will revoke his request to delay his conscription and will join the Korean Army, according to Big Hit Music. The six other members also plan to serve in the military.

Big Hit Music has already notified financial regulators with management-related information that could possibly affect investment decisions. The agency’s statement confirms that BTS members will probably not perform again together for a couple of years.

“Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment,” said their management company.

BTS members viewed as national treasures in South Korea

The K-pop stars have been the world’s best-selling artists for the past two years. They became popular for catchy, upbeat hits like the songs ”Dynamite” and ”Butter’’. The group consists of members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, who co-writes and co-produces most of their material. To many South Koreans the band is a national treasure and has sold over 30 million albums in South Korea alone. That record makes them the best-selling artist in the country’s history.

They also helped raise awareness on issues related to mental health among young people. Their lyrics, for example, often discuss mental health, the troubles of school-age youth, coming of age, and individualism. Their work also frequently references literature, philosophy and psychology.

The members of BTS have also been actively involved with several philanthropic organizations. In 2017 they teamed with UNICEF to launch the Love Myself campaign, which raised funds to support social programs fighting violence against children and teens.

In 2021 former South Korean President Moon Jae-In appointed the members of BTS as special presidential envoys for future generations and culture. One reason may be that the group has been credited as being one of the influences in spreading Korean culture across the world.

The musicians became the first Asian band to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards in 2021. They also met US President Joe Biden at the White House in May to discuss hate crimes targeting Asians.

“Everyone has their own history. We hope today is one step forward to respecting and understanding each and every one as a valuable person.”
–V of @bts_bighit pic.twitter.com/bikkWhWJov

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 1, 2022

Will BTS keep performing?

Military service is a controversial matter in South Korea. Men must fulfil their duties as part of national efforts against their nuclear-armed neighbor North Korea. However, there is  an ongoing parliamentary debate about how long the service should last

. Some lawmakers had even suggested the band be granted an exemption so they could keep performing. In the past, such exemptions have been given to Olympic medalists and other high-achieving sports stars, classical musicians and dancers.

For example, Tottenham footballer Son Heung-min completed a just three-week mandatory military service in 2020. Son had earned an exemption from the mandatory 21-month military service after helping South Korea win the 2018 Asian Games.

Speaking about BTS, minister Lee Jong-sup said: “There would be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together.”  Yet,  according to their label, the band will not perform further until all members complete their military duties. No more information on the timing of their service was given. The band’s last concert was in Busan over the weekend in support of the city’s EXPO bid.

BTS will continue to engage with fans in South Korea and abroad

In a letter to shareholders, Hybe CEO Park Jiwon downplayed financial concerns related to the BTS hiatus. The CEO also said that both the band and management company have  prepared for the conscription by producing future content for fans.

“We have always been aware of the eventuality of mandatory military service, and we have long been making preparations to be ready for this moment,” Park wrote. “In the short term, individual activities for several of the members are planned into the first half of 2023, and we have secured content in advance, which will enable BTS to continue their engagement with fans for the foreseeable future,” said Jiwon.

Avoiding conscription in South Korea

Military service is enshrined in the South Korean constitution as one of the five primary duties of a citizen. The others include the payment of taxes, gainful employment, educating ones children and protecting the environment. The government also keeps a public database of evaders.

For 70 years, men who refused to join the military for religious or personal reasons were sent to jail. Nearly 20,000 have been put behind bars thus far, some 19,000 of which are Jehovah’s Witnesses. During the years of martial law in the 1970s, there were those who were tortured, beaten, or even killed.

Fortunately today there is a new alternative for conscientious objectors. Those who do not wish to join the military can instead apply to work for three years in prisons as cooks, janitors or civilian administrators. Young men who refuse to complete their duties however are often met with public backlash.

Nineties K-pop sensation Yoo Seung-jun was due to be drafted in 2002. He renounced his citizenship just before his call up. Consequently, there was a huge public decry and Yoo Seung-jun was banned from setting foot in South Korea ever again.

Even though the South Korean law allows civilian service in “areas of public interest” besides prisons, for now, this work appears to be the only option. Those serving there can only leave their assigned locations on certain days. A 9:30 p.m. curfew is imposed. Phones and other devices must be handed in during working hours.