BTS Will Reunite In 2025—After Doing South Korea’s Mandatory Military Service

Topline

All seven members of BTS will fulfill South Korea’s mandatory national military service, the band’s label said on Monday, ending months of speculation over whether the world’s biggest K-Pop group may be granted a special exemption from the rule.

Key Facts

Surprising Fact

South Korean law requires all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 to 35 to serve in the country’s military for either 18, 20 or 21 months—for the army, navy, or air force respectively. The law, however, includes special exemptions for certain athletes and artists who represent the country on the global stage. However, the exemptions for artists only include classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers who have won top international competitions, making the pop band ineligible.

News Peg

As BTS grew to become one of the biggest musical acts in the world, its members were granted a special two-year extension. After this, there was some speculation that the South Korean government could update its law to carve out a special exemption for BTS members but citizens remained divided on the issue. Earlier this month, South Korea’s Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and its Military Manpower Administration Commissioner Lee Ki Sik said it would be “desirable” for the members of the group to fulfill their military service requirements to ensure fairness.

Key Background

Earlier this year, the group announced it was going on a hiatus to allow each of its members to pursue solo projects, but insisted they were not breaking up. Less than a week later, BTS notched up its sixth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 charts with the release of its anthology album Proof. In 2020, the group recorded total earnings of $50 million, placing them at number 47 on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list.

Further Reading

BTS stars to serve military duty in South Korea (NBC News)

K-pop group BTS members face possible military conscription (Associated Press)