Jin from BTS: When will he serve in the Korean military?
BTS’s future is unclear. All seven members of the K-pop group are required to serve in the South Korean military for a minimum of two years. Jin is the oldest member of the group, meaning he will technically be the first to trade in his microphone for a military weapon. But when is the K-pop star planning to serve? Will he be forced to retire from music?
Jin was born in 1992, and South Korean law decrees that all men between the ages of 18 and 28 must serve in the military. He had to enlist by the end of 2020 in order to avoid legal repercussions, but BTS’s label Big Hit Entertainment has said that the singer was able to postpone his enlistment date by a year.
National duty
In a statement obtained by Soompi, Big Hit Entertainment claimed that Jin will not be joining the South Korean military until 2021. “BTS consists of members born between 1992 and 1997 who are required to enlist as active-duty soldiers,” the statement read. “It’s been assessed that it will be possible for the oldest member Kim Seok Jin to delay his enlistment until the end of 2021, based on the military service law.”
Most fans believe Jin’s postponed service is a direct result of BTS’s success. The group has broken global streaming records and they recently became the first K-pop act to top the Billboard Hot 100 with their single “Dynamite”. Jin is a crucial part of the group and some believe the South Korean government is trying to give him all of the opportunities to thrive before his brief retirement.
Military exemptions
The South Korean government has excused some public figures from service in the past. They excused classical musicians who have received awards at international competitions, and athletes who have competed in the Olympics. In 2019, Son Heung-min was deemed exempt because he played soccer for the English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur and helped the South Korean national team win gold at the Asian Games.
South Korea is not lenient when it comes to pop stars, however. The defense ministry told Reuters that only forty-five people are exempt from service every year. “Exempting pop culture artists from military service even though they have made a contribution to the country’s reputation is not in line with the government’s stance to uphold justice and fairness,” the ministry wrote.
Uncertain future
Billboard reporter Tamar Herman claimed that Korean celebrities who have tried to evade military service have lost fan support and essentially forfeited their careers. This is not lost on Jin and the other BTS members, who consider it a privilege to serve their country. “As a Korean, it’s natural,” Jin told CBS. “And someday, when duty calls, we’ll be ready to respond and do our best.”
Jungkook and RM supported Jin’s claim, but admitted they were uncertain about the group’s plans. “I don’t want to think about it at this point, we have something really good going,” Jungkook stated. RM’s solution has been to treat every day of fame as though it was his last. “That’s the answer,” he quipped, “We have to enjoy the ride, live in the moment – that’s all we can do.”
BTS has not divulged their military plans for the future. They could either serve time concurrently or stagger it between all seven members so that some of them are able to maintain BTS’s popularity with fans. Either way, Herman is confident the group will stay relevant. “There’s this idea that this might put a halt to their popularity, but their fandom is so big, I personally don’t think it will,” Herman stated, “Only time will tell.”
Fhatmah kalzeah Marohom
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I wish that Bts wouldn’t disband until 2027, they are the one who thought me to be strong, when Im sad, I always watch their MV and it make me happy and i forget all the sad things that happen to me, coz they are the one who’s my stress reliever.
From: Philippine Armies💜
October 4, 2020Genesis Martinez
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I’m gonna cry when that happens.
October 5, 2020darshini
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BTS are the one’s who taught Army to be strong and kept sending positive vibration. It will definitely become a big void in Army’s life. if all of them dont appear for next 2 or 3 years. I absolutely enjoy their music and their constant positive energy that keeps me going.💜
October 5, 2020Pushpa Rani
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It shouldn’t happen! 😭😭
October 5, 2020Dragons龙
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I feel like they shouldn’t go to military it is hard for armys
October 5, 2020Shab
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I’m not ready for this😭😭😭😭
October 6, 2020Irina
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Jo tampoc estic preparada ARMY
October 12, 2020Rose Valentine
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I’d rather be dead than see them joining the military 😭😭😩😩
October 7, 2020그리
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Guys it is hard to state But it is their culture and duty. Just accept that. They’ll be always there for us:)
October 9, 2020Nan
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AWWHHH NOOOO💜💜💜💜💜😭💜💜😭💜💜😭WE ARE NOT READY FOR THIS😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😵😭😵😭😵😵😭😵😭😵😭😵
October 10, 2020angelica
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I’m not ready for this😭😭😭😭 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
October 11, 2020Sophia Das
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Army’s will always be as they are now but all of west are nother ready for JIN’s military enlistment. ……I wish korean government
October 12, 2020Permit him not to go for this😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Jenny
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JIN successes!
October 13, 2020Jin
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WHY DON’T LEAVE US
October 19, 2020WE LOVE YOU JIN
Cheryll
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Whaaaat?
Well I really hope he doesn’t have to go since BTS did a lot for diplomacy especially with the USA so they kinda help with politic in a way. (even if Jin doesn’t seem to mind that much?)
If he does go to military I hope (idk how long it last) that after the couple military years he will be able to come back in the group, but who knows what he will see and experience in the military, he may not be as happy as he is now when he comes back
October 27, 2020Vibha Chengappa
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I just hope that he stays in BTS…. and not join the military
October 29, 2020Edwina
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Three months ago i had an accdnt and was in bed for 3 months the only thng that kept me goiong was BTS …..cant loose WORLDWIDE HANDSOME in 2021 just starting to knw them all💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
October 30, 2020Ira
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I am not ready for thiss.. Never attended any of bts conserts just dont want to go there without jin😭 i love them all equally the band is just in complete without anyone of them i just canttt i am not ready we love you jin please wait 2 years more i want to see you live we love you
November 2, 2020Rajul
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Nooo please I’m not at all ready for this Jin is really precious whenever I needed all BTS members were there to give the positive thoughts I’m being strong now because of them please can’t hold this😭😭😭
November 4, 2020Kimseokjin💜💜
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Plzzzz , i wish Korean government should excuse bts .. if they enlist,millionaires of fans going to cry……..💜💜💜💜
November 9, 2020Ishika Karmakar
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If it’s the country’s rules and if the BTS members want to cherish this privilege of serving their own motherland..then it’s not a sin and if someone’s a real.bys army then he or she will never forget them inspite of their good going..
November 10, 2020Infires x kumamon
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Why am I crying 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
November 18, 2020I LOVE BTS🥺
Anwesha
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😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭I will miss them sooo much!! At least let’s hope there will be a comeback….or even better idea: let all 7 go to the army TOGETHER. That way they will be back within 3 yrs!! Else itll take 7 years!😭😭
December 5, 2020Kimchi fried rice raisa-roychowdhury
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Look ARMYs, it’s bound to happen, but whatever happens, we will stay together, no matter what, not even military can separate them from our hearts
December 5, 2020I’m from India, born in nagaland and brought up in kolkata
I’m these lifespan, BTS gave me the type of feeling not even my friends and family did
They taught me how to love myself
They taught me what family means…. Ohana…..
They are and will forever be in my heart, and not even the most painful moments to come in the future can make me forget how they made me feel, and be myself
And what’s more sad, that they haven’t come to India yet, Nd even if they DID I doubt it will be the place where I live, even if they did come, I am too broke to go a concert or anything *cries in international*
♥blackpinkstan♥
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did you know BTS is worth over $3.6 billion a year to South Korea’s economy. They increased South Korea’s popularity, contributing to a surge in tourism.
December 7, 2020lil meow meow
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As much as I dont like the idea of him having to serve you gotta do what you gotta do. All we can do is wish safety on WWH and hope he is safe.
March 9, 2021