The popular South Korean pop group BTS has to do military service after all. “The members of the band are currently working on their plans to complete conscription,” the executive wrote Twitter.

This message ends the discussion that has divided the Asian country in recent months. Fans of the band (who call themselves The army mention) and some politicians have recently called on the South Korean government to grant the seven band members an exemption from military service because of their outstanding performance as performers. With hits like dynamite and blood sweat tears They made the South Korean music movement K-Pop known around the world.

Previously, top athletes, classical musicians and dancers were exempt from conscription. But that is not the case for the seven BTS members: South Korean authorities have stressed that it is “desirable” for them to do military service. However, according to the Ministry of Defense, there is room for BTS to continue making music and touring abroad.

Listen to the popular song “Yet To Come” by BTS below:

Conscription has been in force for men in South Korea since 1957 and lasts 18 to 21 months. Women can volunteer for the military. The duty is intended to enable the country to defend itself against North Korea.

Until recently, conscientious objection was a crime. Men who did this for religious reasons, for example, faced imprisonment. However, since 2019, a new law has been in place that aims to provide refusers with an alternative to serve their country. They do not have to go to prison, but are instead deployed in prisons for three years, twice as long as regular military service. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have criticized this practice.

solo careers

In addition to such community services, men who refuse to serve also risk social stigma. The question of whether or not to give BTS members an exemption is therefore thorny in the country. BTS didn’t give a fuck last weekend as the band performed one last free (and live-streamed) concert in the southern coastal city of Busan.

Band member Suga (Min Yoon-gi) refers to it in the song What do you think?. In it he sings “we will definitely go into the army when the time comes”. The oldest member of the band, Jin (Kim Seok-jin), had previously asked for a postponement. In December he will be turning 30, the maximum age at which men in South Korea can apply for an extension. Management writes that he will release a solo song this fall and then join the company.

The other band members are between 25 and 29 years old. According to the management, they too are to do 18 to 21 months of military service in the coming years “depending on individual planning”. They are expected to focus on their solo careers in the near future. Last summer they decided to say goodbye to each other because of this, bad news for fans.

Management writes that BTS will meet again in 2025.