the last four members of BTS join the South Korean army

RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook will begin their military service after Jin in December 2022, J-Hope in April, and SUGA in September.

The last four members of the legendary K-pop group BTS who have not yet completed their military service have begun the process of joining the South Korean army, their label announced Wednesday, November 22. In ten years, the septet has become a global cultural phenomenon, brought in colossal sums of money to the South Korean economy, and is followed by a “legion” international fan base known as ARMY.

No exemption

But all able-bodied South Korean men must complete at least 18 months of military service. After a years-long debate over whether BTS deserved an exemption, Jin, the group’s eldest, began his service in December, his bandmate J-Hope in April, and a third member, SUGA, in September.

The group’s four remaining members – RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook – are expected to start theirs soon, their label, BIGHIT MUSIC, said in a statement. “We would like to inform our fans that RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook have started the process of enlisting in the army”announced the label. “We ask that you continue to love and support RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook until they finish their military service”adds the press release.

Uncertainties about the future

Analysts question the group’s future once the seven members are released from their military obligations. Some male K-pop stars have struggled to resume their careers after serving in the army, in an industry where artists are easily replaceable.

Last year, BTS announced that they were taking a “break”, citing exhaustion and its members’ desire to devote themselves to their solo careers. Some saw this as a consequence of the specter of conscription. However, the HYBE agency announced in September that the seven members of the group had all renewed their contracts with it, which suggests that they intend to resume their careers once they return to civilian life.