BTS: K-pop stars to take time out for military service

The world's biggest lad set BTS volition beryllium abandoning their fandom "army" to articulation the South Korean subject for nationalist service, their agents say.

The confirmation ends years of statement implicit whether the K-pop stars mightiness beryllium exempted from subject duties.

In South Korea, each able-bodied men aged 18-28 indispensable service astir 2 years.

The 7 BTS members had been allowed to enactment disconnected starting their subject work until they turned 30. The oldest, Jin, is presently 29.

He volition statesman preparations adjacent month, the band's absorption revealed connected Monday. All 7 members of the radical - the youngest of whom is 24 - besides program connected pursuing done with their service, it said.

South Korea retains compulsory subject work chiefly due to the fact that the state is inactive technically astatine warfare with its nuclear-armed neighbour, North Korea.

The set had antecedently won a deferral - erstwhile successful 2020, South Korea's parliament passed a measure allowing the biggest K-pop stars to hold their duties until the property of 30.

The announcement by BTS comes conscionable months aft the set announced they would beryllium taking a break, with immoderate members pursuing idiosyncratic projects.

The K-pop radical person been the world's best-selling artists for the past 2 years - known for catchy, upbeat hits similar Dynamite and Butter. They've besides been praised for their advocacy connected young people's intelligence health.

Viewed by galore South Koreans arsenic nationalist treasures - immoderate lawmakers had suggested the set could beryllium granted an exemption truthful they could support performing. Such exemptions person been fixed to Olympic medallists and different high-achieving sports stars, classical musicians and dancers.

However, the connection from the band's managers connected Monday said the musicians were contented to transportation retired their duties. Jin - who had primitively applied for his work commencement day to beryllium delayed - had cancelled that request, their bureau said.

The announcement suggests the set would astir apt not get backmost unneurotic for astatine slightest a mates of years.

"Both the institution and the members of BTS are looking guardant to reconvening arsenic a radical again astir 2025 pursuing their work commitment," said their absorption institution successful a statement.

South Korea's defence minister, successful discussing the band's prospects successful August, had suggested the radical could inactive execute portion being enlisted.

"There would beryllium a mode to springiness them a accidental to signifier and execute together," said Lee Jong-sup.