BTS, the biggest acts in K-pop and one of the most supported contemporary music acts in the world, will be forced to take a break from their activities in 2024 and most of 2025 after it was confirmed that the remaining four members of the group - RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook - will enlist in the Korean army, Variety reported.
The four follow Jin, who entered the military last December, J-Hope (April) and Suga, who all have already begun their mandatory military service.
The news was announced by Big Hit Music via social media. "We would like to inform our fans that RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook have begun the military enlistment process. The artists are preparing to fulfill their military service obligations. We will inform you of further updates in due course. We ask for your continued love and support for RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook as they complete their military service and return safely. Our company will spare no effort in providing support for our artists. Thank you."
All men of working age are required to serve in the military for 18 to 21 months. Local media in Korea reported that the four were eligible to defer their military service until the end of the year when they turn 30, under the conscription law revised in 2020, but chose to speed up the process and will likely be called up later this year or in early 2024. The group hopes to reunite in 2025.
Since Jin's relocation almost a year ago, the group is already headed for a hiatus, and members are expanding their solo careers. All seven members of the globe-trotting group have entered the Billboard charts on their own.
However, the seven-member band recently renewed their contracts with Big Hit Music in anticipation of the group's resumption of activity after the forced hiatus. "BigHit Music will take into consideration the military service status of some of the members and plans to sign with each member of BTS in turn," the statement said. "Members currently serving in the military will have fulfilled their military obligation by the start of the renewed exclusive contract period in 2025," parent company Hybe Corp. said in September. /BGNES
