South Korean boy group BTS has revealed that they will serve in their country’s military. It is a requirement for healthy men to be of service in South Korea.
The K-pop group broke the news through an announcement from their management company Big Hit Music. Rumors are also circulating about whether the K-pop star should be exonerated, citing their status as respected artists, globally admired figures and lucrative cultural gems.
BTS will come together “around 2025, following their service commitment,” says the label.
Members are allowed to pursue solo careers during mini-breaks on duty. Jin, who recently shared a solo single, will be joining the service later this month after the release campaign ends.
“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 the CEO of Big Hit parent company Hybe, Park Jiwon, in a letter to shareholders, per The Associated Press.
Korean People Mixed Opinions
South Koreans have mixed opinions on whether the government should force BTS to come forward. Since 2013, all healthy men are required to serve for 18-21 months.
In 2013, the government closed a loophole allowing entertainers to create promotional art for the military in lieu of combat duty.
Members of BTS, like other South Korean citizens, complete five weeks of combat training before being assigned to their respective units, AP said, citing officials from the Military Personnel Administration.
Early this year, fans were speculating if BTS is on hiatus. However, a representative stated that the band would “remain active in various different formats” while its members navigate solo careers.
In December 2021, Big Hit revealed that BTS was on an “official extended period of rest.”
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BTS: The Seven Icons
BTS was formed in 2010 and debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment. The band comprises seven members – Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Furthermore, the members are co-writers and co-producers of their own material.
Initially, they were in the hip-hop genre. However, their musical style has transformed to accommodate an array of genres.
Lyrics to their songs often talked about mental health, the struggles of school-age youth or coming of age, loss, self-love, and individualism. Additionally, most of their work cited literature, philosophy and psychological concepts and explores alternate universe ideas.
BTS has run miles with its music, paving the way for the Korean wave into the United States and making history.
Awarded as the first Korean group to bag a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for their track “Mic Drop.” Also, they are the first act from South Korea to reach the top spot on the Billboard 200 with their studio album, Love Yourself: Tear (2018).
The band made titles for themselves. They managed to secure a status like the Beatles in 1966-1968 with four US number-one albums in under two years. Love Yourself: Answer (2018) was the first Korean album to be certified Platinum by the RIAA.
In 2020, BTS marked the first all-South Korean members to top the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Global 200 with their track “Dynamite,” which also earned a nomination at the Grammys.
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Photo: News Week
