According to South Korea’s defence minister, military service may not restrict BTS from performing. Normally, all men in the country must serve in the military for around 20 months between the ages of 18 and 28.
In 2020, provisions were provided for BTS members to postpone their duty until they reached the age of 30. With Jin, the eldest member of the K-pop band, nearing 30 next year, the subject has gained prominence in South Korea.
The country is debating reducing service to three weeks in parliament. Minister Lee Jong-sup said of BTS, “There will be a means to offer them a chance to train and perform together.”
Military service is contentious in South Korea, where men are required to serve as part of attempts to guard against nuclear-armed neighbour North Korea. Exemptions have been granted to males who have won medals at the Olympics and Asian Games, as well as classical musicians and dancers who have won top honours in various events, over the years.
Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur finished his three-week required military duty in 2020, winning an award for excellent performance. Son was spared from the necessary 21-month military duty after assisting South Korea in winning the 2018 Asian Games.
BTS said in June that they would be taking a hiatus to mature and explore solo projects for a while, but that they would not be splitting permanently. Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup stated during a parliamentary session that by enabling BTS to continue operations, the military will be able to serve national objectives without harming the military’s diminishing pool of resources due to low birth rates.
“Because many people admire [artists serving in the military], it may help raise their appeal even more,” he says. The Oxford Dictionary announced last year that it was adding 26 Korean words to its edition, citing BTS as one of the major impacts in spreading Korean culture around the world.
In a chart just compiled by music industry authority the IFPI, they were crowned the world’s best-selling musicians of 2021. Last year, the band became the first Asian band to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards, and in May, the band met with US President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss hate crimes against Asians. BTS reps declined to speak to Radio 1 Newsbeat.