BTS, the popular K-pop band, have begun serving their mandatory military duties under South Korean law, according to their management agency. Two members, RM and V, recently arrived at a boot camp in Nonsan to start their 18-month compulsory service. They will be joined by two other bandmates, Jimin and Jung Kook, who were expected to report for duty the next day.
The remaining members of BTS, Jin, J-Hope, and Suga, are already several months into their conscription. After fulfilling their military service, the seven singers plan to reunite as a group sometime in 2025.
The decision for the band to fulfill their military duties was finalized in October 2022, ending the debate over possible exemptions. This followed a public debate over whether BTS members should be exempt from military service due to their artistic achievements, but the band’s management company announced that all members would fully serve their obligations.
Under South Korean law, most able-bodied men must perform 18-21 months of military service, with limited exemptions granted for athletes and classical artists who excel in certain international competitions. The law does not allow most men to delay their military service after they turn 30.
BTS, formed in 2013, has a huge following globally and has even spoken at United Nations meetings. The band’s decision to fulfill their military service has sparked discussions about mandatory military service in South Korea and its impact on young men and their careers.
