All 7 Members Of BTS To Fulfill Mandatory Military Service In South Korea, To Reconvene In 2025

The seven members of BTS, one of the most prominent bands in the world, will serve in the military in South Korea.

As reported by Variety, the record label Bighit Music confirmed the news on Monday. As mentioned in the official release, Member Jin will be the first to join.

What does this move mean for the band and their fans?

The move means that the septet will become temporarily inactive as a group. But "both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment," said label Bighit Music.

"The members of BTS are currently moving forward with plans to fulfill their military service. Group member Jin will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is concluded at the end of October. He will then follow the enlistment procedure of the Korean government. In a statement, other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans," Bighit said.

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BigHit Music confirmed that the group will come together as a whole in 2025 following their commitments. Ensuring that there is a lot to look forward to, they reiterated, "Yet To Come is more than a track from their latest album; it is a promise; there's much more yet to come in the years ahead from BTS."

Why is BTS joining the military service?

The BTS's decision to enlist helped the South Korean government avoid a thorny situation.

Military service is compulsory for all non-disabled males under 30 years old.

The current system allows for some exceptions on the grounds of exceptional service to the country. Variety reported that some top athletes and classical musicians had been excused, but pop artists have not.

Politicians have wrangled over making BTS the first K-Pop exceptions and, earlier this year, even discussed some lighter form of military service in which they might still be able to perform.

Did BTS hint at a 'hiatus' before?

In June, during a Korean-language interview, the band members said they would be taking a "hiatus."

But within hours, Hybe issued a statement saying that the word "hiatus" was an English mistranslation. Instead, they would be allowed time to pursue solo projects.

(With agency inputs)

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