A 3rd member of Ok-pop megastars BTS has begun the method of enlisting in South Korea’s necessary navy service, the band’s company stated Monday.
All able-bodied males in South Korea should serve no less than 18 months within the navy and, after a years-long debate about whether or not BTS deserved an exemption, Jin, the oldest member of the group, enlisted final yr, adopted by his bandmate J-Hope in April.
“We would like to inform our fans that SUGA has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement,” HYBE stated in an announcement.
“We ask you for your continued love and support for SUGA until he completes his military service and safely returns,” it added, with out offering additional particulars.
Before the band went on a hiatus in June final yr, BTS bagged six No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 chart and all seven members of the boyband have reached the highest of the charts with solo tracks, Billboard stated.
Since their debut in 2013, BTS have been credited with producing billions of {dollars} for his or her nation, in addition to boosting the picture and smooth energy of South Korea — now a world cultural powerhouse.
They have been invited to talk on the United Nations, and to satisfy U.S. President Joe Biden on the White House.
Earlier this yr, the chairman of the septet’s company, Bang Si-hyuk, stated that making BTS do their navy service was slowing the worldwide progress of Ok-pop.
The international Ok-pop market “narrows significantly when BTS is taken out”, he stated, including “the continuity of a person’s career or their value as a national asset is damaged” by enlisting within the navy.
South Korea presents exemptions from navy service to folks together with Olympic medal successful athletes and a few classical musicians, however Ok-Pop musicians aren’t eligible underneath the prevailing program.
© 2023 AFP