The largest boy band in the world, BTS, will leave their fan “army” to perform national duty in the South Korean military, according to their agents.
The confirmation concludes years of discussion over whether or not K-pop singers are excused from military service.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to serve for approximately two years.
Seven members of BTS were permitted to delay beginning their military service until they were 30. The oldest, Jin, is 29 years old.
The band’s management stated on Monday that he will begin preparations next month. It was stated that all seven members of the group, the youngest of whom are 24 years old, intended to complete their duty.
South Korea retains conscription mostly because it is officially still at war with its nuclear-armed neighbor, North Korea.
Before 2020, when South Korea’s parliament established a law allowing the biggest K-pop singers to delay their duties until the age of 30, the band had been granted a deferment.
BTS’s announcement comes only a few months after the band stated they would be taking a sabbatical to pursue solo projects.
The K-pop quintet has been the best-selling artist in the world for the past two years, with catchy, uplifting tunes such as “Dynamite” and “Butter.” They have also been lauded for their campaigning on behalf of the mental health of young people.
Many South Koreans view the band as a national treasure, and several MPs have requested that they be exempted to continue performing. Olympic medalists and other high-achieving athletes, classical musicians, and dancers have received such exemptions.
Monday’s statement from the band’s managers, however, indicated that the musicians were content to perform their duty. Jin, who had first requested a postponement in his service start date, retracted his request, according to their agency.
The announcement indicates that the band will likely not reunite for at least two years.
“Both the company and the members of BTS anticipate reuniting as a group around 2025,” their management firm said in a statement.
In August, while discussing the band’s prospects, the South Korean defense minister proposed that the group may continue to perform while enlisted.
Lee Jong-sup stated, “There would be a way for them to train and perform together.”
