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Last Updated: April 29, 2025, 11:03 IST
Mandatory Military Service for South Korean Men and BTS’ Hiatus
The mandatory military service in South Korea requires all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 to serve for approximately two years, prompting BTS to announce their hiatus in June 2022.
BTS enjoys a massive following globally, with fans eager for updates about the group’s future. In a recent interview on Apple Music 1’s The Zane Lowe Show, BTS member J-Hope shared exciting insights about the group’s plans post-military service.
J-Hope expressed optimism about the members’ reunion, stating, “The funny thing for me is when our identities, which have taken shape in various ways, come together as BTS, I’m curious to see how it’ll look like. I look forward to June, when our members will have completed their service. We will quickly get together and talk about what BTS can do in the future. I think it’s going to be a massive energy.”
He elaborated on the growth of individual identities within the group, saying, “I think that over time, we each refined our unique identities as each of us work on their own music, come out with their solo projects and do their own thing.”
As a reminder, all eligible South Korean men are required to fulfill military duties, necessitating the temporary pause in BTS’s activities. With Jin and J-Hope already discharged, the remaining members—RM, Suga, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—will complete their enlistment by the end of this year.
In previous communications, BTS’s agency, BIGHIT, advised fans against sending gifts to the members during their military service. The statement highlighted logistical challenges, noting, “The military barracks are communal spaces shared by military personnel for training together. If a large number of letters and gifts from the fans arrive at the center all at once, it would be difficult to store them and they could be easily lost. Therefore, we kindly ask that fans refrain from sending anything by mail.”
Additionally, they urged continued support for the BTS members during their service, affirming, “Our company will also strive to provide every support they need during this time.”
Source
www.news18.com