Why is BTS enlisting in the army?

K-pop, boy band BTS is going to break up before going to the military for at least two years. There are seven members of BTS and all of them are planning to go into the military on their own time.

Why is BTS is going to the military? Because of a specific rule in South Korea. Strong, fit, healthy men by the age of 30 have to serve 18-21 months for mandatory military service.

“Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans,” said Style Caste of Big Hit Music. According to Big Hit, “each member will ‘carry out their individual plans’ before they enlist.” Big Hit Music is an entertainment company that artists work for.

This is important, as South Korea and North Korea see each other as enemies. South Korea has to always be prepared for a a potential escalation of the conflict with North Korea.

As said by Brianna, an informational website, “The Korean War is conflict between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in which at least 2.5 million persons lost their lives.”

However, men who have a huge impact on South Korea can be excused from having to do military service. This included BTS, who have made a huge impact on South Korea’s economy.

Cal State LA student and BTS fan Brittaney Cynthia Hernandez had this to say: “I think it’s their choice to go – even though the government of South Korea told them it wasn’t mandatory, but they decided to do it so I’m just happy if they are,” said Hernandez.

So far, Jin, the vocalist of the band, was the first member to begin his military service. Jin has released a new song called “The Astronauts” with Coldplay as a solo artist.

This is something that the other members could do during this time instead of making songs together as a group. Now that they are on break, they are challenging themselves to do projects independently.

“While BTS prepares to serve in the military, the group is still focused on pursuing solo musical efforts,” according to the article “Here’s What Each BTS Member Plans to Do During Their Hiatus” by Jasmine Washington and Leah Campano from Seventeen Magazine. “The group’s management announced that the group will be on hiatus until each member fulfills their mandatory military duties in South Korea.”

There are mixed emotions surrounding this event. Some people are happy, some are tearfully sad, and some are shocked. Naturally, everyone is different, and not everyone would feel the same way.

AJMS eighth grade student Isac Paez said, “I feel like it’s kinda sad, but I do wish that they all went together so that way they can be back as a group and, y’know, be all together.”

It is guessed that the group will reunite around 2025. While BTS is on break, they will have improved their artistic skills.

“Because they said that once they go back, they may have different inspiration and a different messages they maybe want to spread,” said Paez. “And I feel like they’ll be better and more powerful.”