BTS to enlist in South Korea’s military

BTS, the South Korean boy band, has confirmed plans to perform their mandatory military service in the Asian country.

Big Hit Music, the band’s management company, announced the development through a statement shared via Twitter on Monday.

In South Korea, military service is mandatory. All able-bodied men are required to serve in the army for 18 months by the time they are 28.

In 2020, South Korea’s parliament passed a bill allowing pop stars to defer their service until the age of 30.

[공지] 방탄소년단 병역 이행 및 향후 활동 계획 안내 (+ENG/JPN/CHN) pic.twitter.com/jntF90agO4

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) October 17, 2022

But according to the statement, Jin, the oldest member of the band, will be the first to enlist in the army at the end of the month.

Other members are said to start their service “based on their own individual plans”.

The management company also disclosed that BTS will reconvene as a group “around 2025”.

“Bighit Music is proud to announce today that the members of BTS are currently moving forward with plans to fulfill their military service, ” the statement reads.

“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.”

The Bangtan Boys (BTS) had in June announced a temporary break to pursue their individual careers.