BTS face several-year hiatus as members decide to army service

Members of the internationally acclaimed Okay-pop group BTS will take a break from their music careers to satisfy their necessary army service, their company BigHit Music announced on Monday. The information comes simply months after the group introduced a “hiatus” for members to give attention to solo initiatives. 

“As every particular person embarks on solo endeavors, it is the right time and the members of BTS are honored to serve,” the company mentioned. “BigHit Music has centered to the milestone second when it could be doable to respect the wants of the nation and for these wholesome younger males to serve with their countrymen, and that is now.” 

Jin, the oldest member of the group who turns 30 in December, would be the first to enlist, the company mentioned. He will “provoke the method” on the finish of October when he finishes selling a solo tune. Other members of the group will enlist “based mostly on their very own particular person plans.” 

The company mentioned BTS would reconvene as a gaggle round 2025. 

It was determined in 2019 that the band members wouldn’t have the ability to evade the obligations of South Korea’s army service, which is obligatory for all wholesome males earlier than they flip 28. Professional athletes and a few celebrities can get exemptions from the service, and plenty of had hoped that may be the case for BTS. 

Staff within the nationwide tradition and protection ministries tried to discover a solution to get the bands’ members out of serving, however army veterans had been amongst those that balked, saying an exemption can be unfair. Ultimately, the Ministry of Defense determined to not grant any exemption. 

The information of their looming enlistments come simply months after the group introduced it could be taking a break for members to give attention to particular person initiatives. The group mentioned that Okay-pop as a system would not enable performers an opportunity to “mature,” due to the fixed want to provide extra music. 

“I feel that is why we’re going via a tough patch proper now, we’re looking for our identification and that is an exhausting and lengthy course of,” BTS member Jimin mentioned on the time. 

We’re every going to take a while to have enjoyable and expertise numerous issues,” member Jungkook mentioned in June. “We promise we are going to return sometime much more mature than we at the moment are.”  

It’s unclear how efficiently the group will handle to re-emerge, nevertheless, as army service may alter the notion of its members, and public curiosity may merely wane. 

CBS News’ Jen Kwon in Seoul contributed to this report.