K-pop: BTS split up to do their military service

Europe 1 with AFP 09:06, October 18, 2022

The management of the K-pop group has indeed announced, after years of speculation, that the members of the group will fulfill their military obligations.

Finished, therefore, stadiums around the world, all members will serve their country, as confirmed by their management BigHit.

BTS had requested a temporary waiver

In South Korea, all men between the ages of 18 and 28 must serve for two years.

Jin, the oldest member of the group, is 29 years old.

BTS had asked for a temporary waiver, which they were granted, but it was unclear if they would be able to dodge this essential part of every South Korean's life.

The singer will therefore prepare to do his service next year, and the other members of the formation will do the same, including the youngest, like Jungkook, who is 24 years old.

According to BigHit's statement, it will therefore be at least two years before we see BTS on stage again, which brings us to 2025. "The company and members of BTS are looking forward to reuniting in again as a group around 2025 after their commitment to service", can we read in a message relayed by the BBC.

BTS is the most popular group in Korean music

And if they engage in two years of service in the flag, nothing says that they will not be able at all, during these 24 months, to go on stage again.

In any case, this is the hope given by the Minister of Defence.

"There would be a way to give them a chance to rehearse and perform together," he said last August, as the prospect of the group splitting up to go to the army became clearer.

BTS is the most popular group in the history of Korean music, succeeding, more than most other K-pop groups, in establishing itself beyond the borders of South Korea.

Their songs, like 

, 

, or 

, have all dominated the Western charts.