The news that all seven members of BTS will be serving their mandatory military service in South Korea and that the group is expected to return in full force in 2025 took fans by surprise. However, on Tuesday morning, October 18th, it was revealed that they will still be able to perform despite being in the military.
The novelty is that the members of the group will be able to participate in specific “national level” events even while in military service. The information was provided by Colonel Moon Hong-sik, interim spokesman for the South Korean Ministry of Defense and reported this morning by The Korea Times.
“Our position is that we will provide an opportunity if they want to participate when there is a nationwide event for the public good or an event designed in the light of the national interest“, Moon said.
"The Ministry of National Defense plans to find ways to give bts the chance to rehearse together even after joining the military so they can perform as seven" pic.twitter.com/V9iBMfBOie
— Charlotte⁷ (IA) (@chartannies_7) October 17, 2022
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He added that such an opportunity may be granted to other service members and is not a BTS specific exemption, noting that current guidelines mean the same opportunities are open under current regulations.
ARMY, for its part, has shared on social networks disgust at this option so that the boys present themselves claiming that they must rest and that the heavy duty of the service is enough to keep them busy. Also, members cannot receive earnings from their performances during their service.
https://twitter.com/J00NSBFF/status/1582010602553507846
the gov be like "yeah let's make bts perform even during their military service so we can take all the profits" you evils. don't talk nonsense just leave them alone and you better came up with a way to save your economy without involving my boys.
— ciella (ia) (@taetaesga) October 17, 2022
It’s worth noting that Hong-sik’s comments follow a similar line to that of Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, who said earlier this month that performances abroad would even be an option for members of BTS during the performance of its service functions.
BTS member Jin, who is about to turn 30 years old, will be the first to enlist, and the other six members will enlist in the coming years, based on their individual schedules.
