One Of The Biggest Bands In The World Is Breaking Up To Join The Military
Korean boy band sensation BTS is going on hiatus to allow its members to perform mandatory South Korean military service.
Members of the South Korean band BTS will soon be lacing up their military boots. According to Deadline, members of BTS are set to fulfill their mandatory military service before eventually reconvening “around” 2025. The band’s music agency, Bit Hit Music, announced the big news on Monday, October 17, 2022.
BTS went on a temporary hiatus this past summer, with RM claiming that he, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga, Jungkook V, and Jin all needed time to explore their own music. The group reunited in October for a free concert in Busan. The K-pop sensation performed to support South Korea’s bid to host the 2023 World Cup.
BTS’s eldest member, Jin, will reportedly be the first one out of the group to join the military. Big Hit Music stated that Jin will begin the process once his schedule clears up following his solo release. The music artist will then follow the enlistment protocol the Korean government requires. The other members of BTS are said to carry out their service based on their own individual plans.
A report from Yonhap revealed that Jin’s conscription was delayed due to the Military Service Act. Men in South Korea are required to serve in the military for two years. Deadline noted that a law allowing musical artists and award-winning athletes to perform in alternative fields still exists in the country. However, recognized pop artists like BTS may no longer be allowed to bypass the military requirement.
BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, was formed in 2010 and made its debut in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment. Their musical style incorporates a wide range of genres, and their lyrics often include discussions about mental health and coming of age. They launched their first single album, 2 Cool 4 Skool, in 2013.
BTS became the first Korean ensemble to receive a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. They are the best-selling artists in South Korean history and have sold more than 30 million copies via Circle Chart. BTS also has the best-selling album of all time in South Korea with Map of the Soul: 7.
Big Hit Music added that they are in “support” of BTS’ commitment to exploring their own “unique interest” and to “do their duty by being in service to the country they call home.” The parent company of Big Hit Music, Hype Corporation, reportedly had a sharp decline in their stock prices upon the news of the band’s enlistment in the military and their potential breakup. After the band announced their intentions of temporarily separating to focus on single projects, Hype Corporation had to clarify statements that the band wasn’t disbanding.
The temporary separation of BTS caused Hype Corporation’s stock price to decline sharply. The October benefit didn’t help much as the company’s stock price continued to fall and word of the band’s enlistment in the military began circulating everywhere. It’s reported that Hype Corporation could lose nearly ten billion dollars (US) in ten years if the band members complete their military service.
As of now, it’s unclear how BTS’ enlistment in the military will significantly affect the South Korean economy.
