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K-pop group BTS (courtesy of Big Hit Music)

Amid political debate over whether members of the K-pop group BTS should be required to serve in the military, the group has expressed members’ intention to enlist of their own accord. The announcement is interpreted as demonstrating that the group willingly decided and chose to enlist in the military rather than being pushed to do so.

In an announcement on Monday, BTS’ label, Big Hit Music, said, “Jin will retract his request to postpone his enlistment later this month and follow the enlistment procedure of the Military Manpower Administration.”

“Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans," the agency added. “Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment.”

The timing of enlistment is likely to be different for each member, since there is a five-year age difference between the eldest member Jin (born in 1992) and the youngest member Jungkook (born in 1997).

Jin, who was born in 1992 and is currently 30 years old, had postponed his enlistment until the end of this year through the recommendation of the minister of culture, sports and tourism enabled by a revision to the Military Service Act in 2020. With BTS autonomously withdrawing its request to postpone enlistment until the age of 30, Jin is expected to enlist in active service as soon as he receives his conscription letter.

K-pop group BTS (courtesy of Big Hit Music)

The current Military Service Act stipulates that a person with special skills in the arts and sports fields determined by presidential decree who is recommended by the minister of culture, sports, and tourism can be incorporated into the “art and sports personnel.” The Enforcement Decree of the Military Service Act, however, does not include “popular culture” as a specialty in the arts and sports fields, raising the issue of equity for popular cultural artists who promote national prestige.

While there had been calls within the pop music industry for BTS to be granted special dispensation for alternative service, discussions in the National Assembly have been unfruitful.

“This is the last concert [currently scheduled],” said Jin at BTS’ solo concert “Yet to Come in Busan” at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium on Saturday.

“The fact that time passed so quickly means that we were having fun,” he added.

Earlier in June this year, BTS released an anthology album “Proof,” outlining the group’s nine-year history, and announced that it will continue its musical journey with a focus on solo rather than group activities.

By Jung Hyuk-june, staff reporter

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