Your biggest question about the biggest K-pop band has been answered.
The BTS members plan to enlist in South Korea’s military as required by law, the band’s label announced Monday, sparking months of debate over whether the group would be eligible for exemption from mandatory military service. It put an end to public debate.
The band’s announcement of the decision, which came less than two days after they played their first concert in months, effectively confirms the hiatus the members first mentioned this summer. After completing the service, they plan to reunite “as a group again around 2025,” said label Big Hit Music. Statement posted on Twitter.
Millions of disheartened fans calling themselves Army took to social media to express their support, grief and disbelief. The move is also likely to have wider implications,
Korean The band’s followers pour billions into the band’s economy.
In South Korea, healthy men must enlist by age 30 and serve about two years in prison. Exceptions are made for athletes who have won medals at international competitions, such as the Olympics, and some high-level classical musicians, but pop music artists are not eligible. The first member of BTS is Kim Seokjin, better known as Jin, who turns 30 in December.
After the announcement, shares of Big Hit’s parent company, HYBE, fell 2.5% on Monday. The company has lost about half of its market value since June when BTS spoke about the hiatus as members pursued solo projects.
Jin announced his solo project at the BTS concert in Busan, South Korea on Saturday. The event was free and attracted about 50,000 fans. On Monday, the label issued a message aimed at both fans and investors.
“‘Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)’ is more than a track from their latest album, it’s a promise,” the label said. “More will happen in the next few years for BTS.”