Multi-platinum boy band BTS will be taking a break from their “army” of fans to join the South Korean military for national service.
The decision brings to an end weeks long discussions on whether the members of the band would be exempt from South Korean law which says, all able-bodied men aged 18-28 must give two years of service.
BTS members had been allowed to put off starting their military service until they turned 30 but thats as far as their privilege will go.
Jin, 29 will start preparations next month, the band’s management revealed on Monday. All seven members of the group – the youngest of whom is 24 – also plan on following through with their service, it said.
South Korea retains compulsory military service mainly because the country is still technically at war with its nuclear-armed neighbor, North Korea.
Some lawmakers had suggested the band could be granted an exemption so they could keep performing as there is no guarantee that they would still have their fame in two years. In the past exemptions have been given to Olympic medallists and other high-achieving sports stars, classical musicians and dancers.
However, the statement from the band’s managers on Monday said the musicians were content to carry out their duties. Jin – who had originally applied for his service start date to be delayed – had cancelled that request, their agency said.
The announcement suggests the band would probably not get back together for at least 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 in a statement.
South Korea’s defence minister, in discussing the band’s prospects in August, had suggested the group could still perform while being enlisted per the BBC.
“There would be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together,” said Lee Jong-sup.
WMV reported Kang Hyo-won, Senior producer at Korean company HYBE, the company in charge of BTS is one of the highest paid executives in music.
Won earned 35 million in profits due in part from the South Korean’s music company’s listing on the country’s Stock Exchange.
Co-CEO of HYBE Yoon Seok-jun and Kim Shin-gyu, the company’s chief artist management officer also earned big bucks from the company’s public offering. Yoon saw net-profits of $34 million while Kim earned $24 million.
Founded in 2005, HYBE—formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment—was named Time’s 2021 most influential company. The K-pop driven company is being compared to Disney for its development of “fan-friendly experiences and products.” HYBE purchased U.S.-based media group Ithaca Holdings in a $1 billion deal, adding pop stars like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande to its roster.
Originally a hip hop group, their musical style has evolved to incorporate a wide range of genres; their lyrics have often discussed mental health, the troubles of school-age youth and coming of age, loss, the journey towards self-love, and individualism. Their work also frequently references literature, philosophy and psychological concepts, and includes an alternate universe storyline.
BTS is referred to as “Soft Power” that acts as diplomats for Korean culture with their influence on entertainment diplomacy and international relations. Political scientist Joseph Nye developed the concept of soft power in his 2004 book, Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics.
Nye wrote, “when one country gets other countries to want what it wants might be called co-optive or soft power in contrast with the hard or command power of ordering others to do what it wants”. This applies to BTS’ ability to be co-optive in their approach to spreading their message of harmony, acceptance, and addressing life’s setbacks via their broad appeal on the international stage.
