«As each individual embarks on solo endeavors, it’s the perfect time and the members of BTS are honored to serve,» Big Hit Music announced on Monday.
South Korean K-Pop group BTS announced on Monday that they plan to begin their mandatory military service after years of government debate, and some fans are planning to boycott K-Pop and Korean merchandise in the meantime.
After years of speculation that the group would be granted government exemption, Big Hit Music, the entertainment company which founded and manages BTS, confirmed the group has decided to begin preparations for their conscription.
«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 BTS are honored to serve,» the music company wrote in a statement.
«As part of the HYBE family, we support and encourage our artists and are beyond proud that they will each now have time to explore their unique interests and do their duty by being of service to the country they call home,» it continued.
BTS’s oldest member, Jin, will start making preparations next month to begin his two-year stint in the military, with the other members—Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook—to follow «based on their own individual plans.» The group plans to reconvene around 2025.
The news came on Monday as a shock but not quite a surprise, as South Korean government officials have been debating BTS’s conscription for several years now. However, the BTS fanbase, known as ARMY—an acronym that stands for Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth—had mixed emotions.
