BTS May Still Be Able To Perform Even While Carrying Out Their Compulsory Military Service. According to South Korean defense minister Lee Jeong-seop, BTS may be able to continue performing while completing their required military duty.
Lee discussed the defense ministry’s perspective on BTS’ military service requirements during a meeting of the National Defence Committee that the South Korean National Assembly conducted on Monday, August 1.
According to Lee, who was quoted by News1, “I think BTS could join the military and yet be granted time to train and play abroad.”
BTS May Still Be Able To Perform Even While Carrying Out Their Compulsory Military Service. According to him, “The Ministry of National Defence has evaluated [the question of BTS’ enrollment] in consideration of upholding fairness, equity, and military service resources, and they may be able to continue serving the interests of the country.”
“As many people strongly regard [artists serving] in the military, that may help enhance their popularity even more,” the minister continued, according to Reuters.
Additionally, according to Director Lee Ki-shik of the Military Manpower Association, adding more exemptions for celebrities to the military’s already-existing rules could “destroy the general framework of military service exemption.”
Though concessions might be made to allow the boyband to continue their promotional activities concurrently, his response suggests it is doubtful they will be granted a full exemption from service.
However, a law that could let prominent pop culture icons like BTS to do “alternative” forms of service as arts and cultural people is now being debated in the South Korean parliament.
It’s time to build a system for merging popular culture-art personalities as art personnel, said Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Hwang Hee in May, calling for the boyband to be spared from South Korea’s mandatory military duty.
All Korean men who are physically capable must enlist for approximately two years of military service before they turn 28 according to the country’s current Military Service statute. Pop performers who have received cultural awards from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism are now eligible to apply to delay their enlistment until they are 30 according to a 2020 change.
In the debate over their military enrollment, the BTS member receiving the most attention is Jin, who will turn 30 in December 2022. Regarding his military duty, Jin and their company HYBE have not yet made any announcements.
J-Hope, a member of BTS, made history yesterday when he became the first South Korean performer to open Lollapalooza. This year’s Chicago Music Festival was closed out by the idol, who played 18 songs in all throughout a 70-minute set, including eight of the ten songs from his recently released debut solo album, “Jack In The Box.”
NME’s Rhian Daly gave the album five stars and said it was “thought-provoking and full of fresh new taste,” adding that “Jack In The Box” “takes the J-Hope the world has grown to know and love over the last nine years and sets that figure on fire.” However, a star that is seemingly unstoppable and more thrilling and formidable than ever emerges from the ashes.
BTS is now taking a brief hiatus from group activities, and in the interim, its members intend to “take time to explore some solo ventures.” Leader RM hinted that he might be the next member to release a solo record during a recent livestream, saying that his future project is “90%” finished.