K-Pop Fans Rejoice as BTS Gets Out of the Military
For millions of fans of the K-pop band BTS, the date June 14, 2022 is seared into memory. It was the day the band announced that it would be going on hiatus to pursue solo projects. Soon after, members confirmed plans to do their mandatory service with the South Korean military.
Kaylei Brown, a 25-year-old veterinary technician from Atlanta, feared the hiatus might mark the end of the group. 'Any ARMY would immediately know what a chaotic, terrible experience that was,' said Brown, using the acronym for BTS fans that stands for Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth.
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Wall Street Journal
6 hours ago
- Wall Street Journal
K-Pop Fans Rejoice as BTS Gets Out of the Military
For millions of fans of the K-pop band BTS, the date June 14, 2022 is seared into memory. It was the day the band announced that it would be going on hiatus to pursue solo projects. Soon after, members confirmed plans to do their mandatory service with the South Korean military. Kaylei Brown, a 25-year-old veterinary technician from Atlanta, feared the hiatus might mark the end of the group. 'Any ARMY would immediately know what a chaotic, terrible experience that was,' said Brown, using the acronym for BTS fans that stands for Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth.


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15 hours ago
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Last BTS member Suga discharged from South Korean military service, paving way for reunion
Suga, a rapper and songwriter in the global K-pop sensation BTS, has been discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service, marking the official return of all seven members from their enlistment duties. The label confirmed that Suga completed his alternative service duties on Wednesday after using up his remaining leave. His official discharge date is Saturday. BTS' management agency, Big Hit Entertainment, had said earlier that no events were planned for Suga's release out of concern for overcrowding. It is a momentous occasion for fans of the K-pop group BTS. The seven singers of the popular K-pop band plan to reunite as a group sometime in 2025 now that they've finished their service. Last week, BTS superstars RM and V were discharged from South Korea's military after fulfilling their mandatory service. Jimin and Jung Kook were discharged a day later. All four were enlisted in December 2023. Six of the group's seven members served in the army, while Suga fulfilled his duty as a social service agent, an alternative form of military service. Jin, the oldest BTS member, was discharged in June 2024. J-Hope was discharged in October. In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea. The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren't subject to such privileges. However, in 2020, BTS postponed their service until age 30 after South Korea's National Assembly revised its Military Service Act, allowing K-pop stars to delay their enlistment until age 30. There was heated public debate in 2022 over whether to offer special exemptions of mandatory military service for BTS members, until the group's management agency announced in October 2022 that all seven members would fulfill their duties.


CNN
15 hours ago
- CNN
Last BTS member Suga discharged from South Korean military service, paving way for reunion
Suga, a rapper and songwriter in the global K-pop sensation BTS, has been discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service, marking the official return of all seven members from their enlistment duties. The label confirmed that Suga completed his alternative service duties on Wednesday after using up his remaining leave. His official discharge date is Saturday. BTS' management agency, Big Hit Entertainment, had said earlier that no events were planned for Suga's release out of concern for overcrowding. It is a momentous occasion for fans of the K-pop group BTS. The seven singers of the popular K-pop band plan to reunite as a group sometime in 2025 now that they've finished their service. Last week, BTS superstars RM and V were discharged from South Korea's military after fulfilling their mandatory service. Jimin and Jung Kook were discharged a day later. All four were enlisted in December 2023. Six of the group's seven members served in the army, while Suga fulfilled his duty as a social service agent, an alternative form of military service. Jin, the oldest BTS member, was discharged in June 2024. J-Hope was discharged in October. In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea. The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren't subject to such privileges. However, in 2020, BTS postponed their service until age 30 after South Korea's National Assembly revised its Military Service Act, allowing K-pop stars to delay their enlistment until age 30. There was heated public debate in 2022 over whether to offer special exemptions of mandatory military service for BTS members, until the group's management agency announced in October 2022 that all seven members would fulfill their duties.