Is BTS Excused from Military Service? Here are Facts to Consider
The National Defense Commission will discuss BTS' military service benefits to know if the members will be excused from serving the military.
When BTS gained worldwide popularity, there was a continuing argument about their fate in the Korean music industry and their inevitable military enlistment.
In South Korea, all male citizens are required to serve the military for 18 months. Formerly, the age of joining was 28 years old, then it was adjusted to age 30 in December last year.
The ones who will be enlisted are required to spend two years before reaching the age of 30. This regulation is obligatory for all men from South Korea, except for athletes and persons with disabilities.
K-pop Idols' Enlistments to the Military
In the past years, K-pop idols were enlisted for mandatory military service. It was then noticed that if one group member is not present during the group's activities because of the enlistment, their popularity somewhat decreases.
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BTS' Willingness to Enlist
The seven-member K-pop group boosted tourism in Korea. Because of them, there have been a lot of K-pop fans wanting to learn how to speak Korean all over the world.
There is also an increasing interest in the culture of Korea, and also interest in beauty, food, music, movies, and television globally.
BTS brought a total of five billion dollars annually to the economy of South Korea. With their overflowing success, the South Korean government enacted a bill last December 2020 that raised the age of joining the military from 28 then to 30 years old for K-Pop stars.
The bill was made before Jin's birthday, BTS' oldest member, who just turned 29 in 2020.
ARMYs are now speculating about BTS' possible exemption from serving in the military. Many questions have been asked to the BTS members about their idea of being required to join the military service.
He stated that it would be an opportunity for them to serve their country and if he will be called to enlist, he will join without any questions or complaints.
BTS Military enlistment in Discussion
An association made for the growth of the industry of K-Pop, Korea Music Contents Association (MCON), has denied the modifications to the Military Service Act to exempt the Bangtan Boys from being enlisted.
Last June 2021, the idea for the modification was raised by Rep. Yoon Sanghyun, it asked for a modification to the Military Service Act to include K-Pop artists from being excused from obligatory military service.
Because of this request, there will be a conference on September 9 to deliberate the proposal prior to deciding.
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MCON's Side of Argument
The National Defense Commission will be reviewing BTS' exemption from military service. To solidify their claim that idols shall not be excused from obligatory military service, MCON gave an opinion about the review report from the National Defense Commission that was published last August.
MCON stated that the welfare of Pop culture in the history of Korea is low when compared to athletes' achievements. They also emphasized that there will be controversy because Pop culture artists' profits are directly related to the artists themselves, unlike the athletes which are contributing to the country's pride and history.
Mr. Choi Kwangho, from MCON, said that K-Pop stars can't achieve medals or even make history for their country.
He continued that the exemption from the military service began in 1973. And 1804 people have been relieved from it since then.
It is now to be considered if the Bangtan Boys' achievements reached the level of domestic influence in comparison to the 1804 who promoted prestige for Korea.
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Written by Annie Barmaine.
