“BTS” J-Hope Joins Military Service: What’s Next for the Global Sensation??
- Entertainment
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The Buzz Nepal - April 20 , 2023
J-Hope, a member of the global K-pop sensation BTS, has joined South Korea’s military for his mandatory 18-month service. He becomes the second member of the band to fulfill this obligation, following Jin’s enlistment in December 2022. The move came after months of public debate about whether the group’s members should receive special exemptions from military service. However, BTS’ management agency, Hybe Corp., announced last October that all seven members would complete their military duties.
Dozens of fans showed up outside the Wonju boot camp, where J-Hope entered, to express their support and hope for his safe service. While authorities mobilized soldiers and police officers to maintain order, the event reportedly went smoothly without any safety-related incidents. J-Hope himself posted a message on the online fan platform Weverse, expressing his love for his fans and promising to see them again.
In South Korea, military service is compulsory for all able-bodied men aged 18–21, with a duration of 18–21 months, under a conscription system aimed at deterring aggression from North Korea. While certain athletes and classical musicians are eligible for special exemptions, K-pop stars and other entertainers are not. This has led to an intense domestic debate about whether to expand exemptions to entertainers like BTS members.
Jin, who turned 30 in December, was facing conscription because the law disallows most South Korean men from delaying their service beyond the age of 30. The other five younger members of BTS—RM, Suga, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—are expected to join the military in the coming years. This means that the world’s biggest boy band is likely to go on hiatus for a few years before reconvening as a group again.
J-Hope’s enlistment marks another significant milestone for BTS, whose success has transcended cultural and linguistic barriers around the world. While his absence from the group may be felt by fans, it also highlights the importance of fulfilling one’s obligations as a citizen. With all seven members of BTS now committed to serving their country, it remains to be seen how this will affect the band’s future activities and their impact on the global music scene.
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