This Time Guinness... Wherever BTS Goes, It Becomes the Path (Comprehensive)

New Song 'Dynamite' Music Video Hits 101.1 Million Views on YouTube in 24 Hours
Calls for Military Service Benefits Arise in Politics... Military Service Act Amendment Proposed

The group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) set a Guinness World Record with their song "Dynamite," which topped the US Billboard main singles chart. As Korea's cultural status is elevated in various fields like this, calls for granting military service benefits to the members have resurfaced.

On the 1st (local time), Guinness World Records UK announced that the "Dynamite" music video was certified as the "most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours." The video was released on the 21st of last month and recorded 101.1 million views within 24 hours. Due to extraordinary attention, it was also listed as the "most viewed YouTube music video in 24 hours" and the "most viewed K-pop group YouTube music video in 24 hours," both other world records.

The "Dynamite" music video focuses on reflecting the lifestyle of American teenagers. Set against backgrounds like a slanted attic commonly seen in American middle-class homes, the members hold a wholesome party. Milk, donuts, basketball courts, and ice cream trucks appear in colorful hues, layered with 1980s fashion, giving off a strong disco vibe.

The previous record holder was the group BLACKPINK. Their music video "How You Like That," released on June 26, recorded 86.3 million views within 24 hours. Surpassing this easily, the "Dynamite" music video had 280 million views as of the 3rd.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

BTS holds several Guinness World Records, including being listed for the "most viewed music concert live streaming" with their online concert "Bang Bang Con The Live" in June. As the national contribution of popular arts grows, political circles are increasingly advocating for military service benefits for related individuals.

Legislative efforts have already begun. For example, on the 3rd, Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi proposed a partial amendment to the Military Service Act. It includes provisions allowing popular culture artists recognized and recommended by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for significantly enhancing national prestige and dignity to defer their military service. The eligible age for deferral is considered up to 30 years old.

Regarding military service deferral, Representative Jeon stated, "This is entirely different from exemption or special cases," and added, "We should provide options to defer enlistment even for professions that can bloom in their 20s."

In BTS's case, the eldest member Jin (real name Kim Seok-jin), born in 1992, is approaching his enlistment time. Big Hit Entertainment recently stated in a securities report submitted to the Financial Services Commission, "We believe Jin can defer enlistment under the Military Service Act until the end of 2021." The basis is a clause allowing legal enlistment deferral until the end of the year when a person pursuing a master's degree exceeding two years turns 29.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

All BTS members except Jungkook are enrolled in the graduate school of Hanyang Cyber University. According to the bill proposed by Representative Jeon and others, BTS could defer enlistment based on their achievements in the popular music field and continue their activities. However, it remains uncertain whether this will materialize as consultations with the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Manpower Administration are necessary.

BTS members have consistently stated that military service is a "natural duty." At a press conference in February, they said, "We are ready to respond whenever the country calls."

Nevertheless, calls for military service benefits arise continuously whenever they leave new marks on the global popular music scene. The main issue is fairness. There is backlash that benefits allowing alternative service for winners of domestic and international competitions recognized by the state apply only to pure arts specialists, which is considered unfair.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.