BTS members to serve military duty; Jin to start ‘process’ — HYBE

FILE PHOTO: BTS pose on the red carpet as they attend the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 3, 2022. REUTERS/Maria Alejandra Cardona

Bighit Music, the music label of South Korean boy group BTS, has confirmed that the band members are set to enlist for mandatory military service duties, starting with the group’s eldest member Jin.

The enlistment announcement came after the recently concluded “BTS ‘Yet to Come’ in Busan’” concert, as per a statement released on its Twitter page on Monday, Oct. 17.

“Bighit Music is proud to announce today that the members of BTS are currently moving forward with plans to fulfill their military service. After the phenomenal concert to support Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030, and as each individual embarks on solo endeavors, it’s the perfect time and the members of the BTS are honored to serve,” the statement read.

“Group member Jin will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is concluded at the end of October. He will then follow the enlistment procedure of the Korean government,” it added.

While the agency did not disclose specific dates, it stated that the other members — RM, Suga, J-hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook — will carry out their military service duties “based on their own individual plans.” BIGHIT then assured fans that “there’s much more yet to come in the years ahead from BTS.”

BTS. Image: Instagram/@bts.bighitofficial

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

READ: BTS’ ‘Yet To Come’ concert brings the world to Busan

Worldwide sensation

Jin, 29, has put off his service for as long as he can and faces the imminent prospect of a full stint – meaning nearly two years out of the public eye – when he turns 30 in December.

Since their 2013 debut, BTS have became a worldwide sensation with their upbeat hits and social campaigns aimed at empowering youth.

“Jin will cancel the request to delay enlistment in late October 2022 and follow the Military Manpower Administration’s relevant procedures for enlistment,” the seven-member band’s management group HYBE said in a regulatory filing.

All other members will also serve the mandatory military duty according to their respective plans, it added.

BTS during their Busan concert. Image from @bys_bighit /Twitter

All able-bodied men in South Korea aged between 18 and 28 must serve in the military for between 18 and 21 months as part of efforts to defend against nuclear-armed North Korea. Some categories, however, have won exemptions, or served shorter terms, including Olympics and Asian Games medal winners and classical musicians and dancers who win top prizes at certain competitions. Some lawmakers had called for BTS to be exempted.

BTS announced a break in June from group musical activities to pursue solo projects, raising questions about the band’s future.

They reunited to perform a free concert on Saturday in the city of Busan in support of South Korea’s bid to host the World Expo 2030 in the port city. — with reports from Reuters

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