K-Pop superstars, BTS have recently announced that all members of the musical group will serve in the Korean military. According to their management, Big Hit, the group plans to reunite “around 2025.”
“Since the creation of BTS over ten years ago, the band has risen to international success, broken records, and catapulted K-Pop into the global stratosphere,” Big Hit’s statement read. “Big Hit Music has focused to the milestone moment when it would be possible to respect the needs of the country and for these healthy young men to serve with their countrymen, and that’s now.” Kim Seok-jin, the oldest member of the group, will enlist first. South Korea requires all able-bodied men to serve 18 months by the age of 28 in the protection against constant threats from North Korea.
The news sparked controversy across Twitter with rumors that although the group will be forced to enlist, they will be allowed to perform in “national events”.