On Wednesday, BigHit announced that the remaining four members of BTS have begun the process of military enlistment. This means that all seven members of BTS are now serving in the South Korean military or in the process of enlisting.
Conscription became mandatory in 1957 in the South Korean constitution and is still mandatory to this day, making South Korea one of the few industrialized countries that still drafts people.
Upon turning 19 years old, all Korean men have to take a draft physical examination to determine their physical and psychological condition. Those who are able to serve are classified as grades 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Although this examination is required, they can choose how to perform their military service. They can choose to serve in the military, secondment, or supplementary services. For those that decide to serve in the army, they are free to choose from South Korea’s three branches.
Men can also choose when to perform their military service by postponing their military service until they wish to serve. However, they cannot postpone their military service forever; service must begin before one turns thirty years old.
However, not all men are required to serve in the military. Exemptions can be made for those who have showcased exceptional skills (e.g., olympians, singers) or are the sole breadwinner for their family. Men can also be exempted from service due to religious beliefs but will have to perform an alternative military service.
This exemption does apply to BTS as they have showcased their exceptional influence in South Korea, but they expressed their willingness to enlist. This could be due to the fact that enlistment is seen as a rite of passage for Korean men.
However, mandatory enlistment has come under scrutiny by human rights groups and international organizations, criticizing the country for violating the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. In response to this criticism, South Korea passed a bill in 2019 that introduced alternative services in non-military roles for 36 months.
Despite being praised by the public for voluntarily joining the army, BTS’s enlistment has raised some concerns for South Korea’s economy. Since their debut in 2013, BTS has earned billions in revenue thanks to album sales, concerts, and social media. By 2020, BTS was contributing approximately $3.5 billion annually. Their economic contributions were reflected in stock prices following BTS’s enlistment plan. The group’s label, HYBE, has its lowest stock prices with prices plummeting 28 percent. The revenue BTS generates for South Korea has earned them the name “Bangtan economy,” crediting them for contributing to South Korea’s culture, economy, and industry.
Some BTS fans have concerns about BTS’s disbandment following military service, but the members have confirmed that the group is expecting to regroup in 2025 after all members have finished their service. Until 2025, fans will be cheering on their favorite boy band, awaiting their safe return back into the K-pop world.
