K-Pop Group BTS to Serve Mandatory Military Duty in South Korea

Popular K-pop group BTS will serve their mandatory military duties in South Korea, a rep for the group announced Monday.

The announcement follows years of debate on whether the group would be exempt from serving in their country’s military, which is at war with North Korea.

The group’s management team, Big Hit Music, said Jin, the group’s oldest member, would be the first to enlist.

“Jin will revoke his request to delay his conscription at the end of this month and will follow conscription procedures required by the Military Manpower Administration,” Big Hit Music said.

The six other members of the group “will fulfill their military duty in turn according to their individual plans,” the company confirmed.  Regarding releasing new music and returning to the stage, the “Dynamite” singers are expected to reconvene around 2025 following their service commitment.

Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men are required to perform 18 to 21 months of military service, with limited exemptions for athletes, musicians and others who “enhance national prestige.”