BigHit Music confirms that K-Pop group BTS is headed to carry out full mandatory military service in their home country.
Jin, the oldest member of the group, was supposed to enlist in the military when he turned 28 years old last December 4, 2020.
But the K-Pop star and the rest of the Grammy-nominated South Korean group—including Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—were able to delay their enlistment after a revision of the country’s Military Service Act was enacted in 2021 which allowed top K-Pop stars to postpone their military service until they turn 30.
Now at 29 years old, Jin will cancel his request to delay his enlistment after his solo release later this month.
In a statement released on Monday, October 17, 2022, BigHit Music said, "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."
BigHit Music confirmed that the other members will also serve the mandatory military duty according to their respective plans. The statement added that BTS members are expected to regroup in 2025.
"Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans.
"Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment."
Here is the full statement from Big Hit Music:
"BIGHIT MUSIC is proud to announce today that the members of BTS are currently moving forward with plans to fulfill their military service.
"After the phenomenal concert to support Busan's bid for the World Expo 2030, and as each individual embarks on solo endeavors, it's the perfect time and the members of BTS are honored to serve.
"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.
"BIGHIT 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.
"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.
"Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans.
"Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment.
"With the release of their first anthology album earlier this year it opened the path to allow the members to take some time to explore individual projects.
"As part of the HYBE family, we support and encourage our artists and are beyond proud that they will each now have time to explore their unique interests and do their duty by being of service to the country they call home.
"'Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)' 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."
By law, able-bodied South Korean men from ages 18 to 28 must serve for about two years in the military to defend the country from its nuclear-armed neighbor, North Korea.
Exemptions, however, are given to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers who have won top places in international competitions as they have "enhanced national prestige."
In June 2022, BTS announced that they are "going on a temporary break" to pursue solo projects.
The group reunited last Saturday, October 15, 2022, to perform a free concert in Busan in support of the country's bid to host the World Expo 2030.
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