It appears that BTS members may not have to sacrifice their music career to serve in the military after all, according to a recent statement from South Korea’s culture minister. Members of BTS have been rumored to be leaving the band to complete their military service for several years, but this has been delayed until now. Under South Korean law, every able-bodied male citizen between the ages of 18 and 28 is required to serve at least 21 months in the military, but BTS members are given a two-year extension.
Jin and Suga, both 29, are the eldest members of BTS, followed by J-Hope, 28, RM, 27, and Jimin and V, both 26. Jungkook, the group’s youngest member, is 24 years old. By December of this year, Jin and Suga will have to enlist. Hwang Hee, South Korea’s minister of culture, sports, and tourism, has offered BTS ARMY optimism that they would not have to join the military.
The members, on the other hand, have stated that they will embrace military service if they are enlisted. Their supporters, on the other hand, have consistently called for an exemption. One ARMY member praised the culture minister’s latest statement, adding, “They (BTS) are not in need of it. They are deserving of it.”
