This Time BTS Military Service Exemption... 2030 Generation Ignites Debate Over 'Fairness'

Following the Cho Kuk Incident, Most Young People Stirred by InGukGong Say "Unfair and Unjust"

"Private Interests Over National Interest, Standards Also Unclear"
"Consider Fairness with Athletes and Researchers"
Conflicting Opinions, The Essence Is Fairness

Raised in Every National Audit, Political Circles Express Discomfort Saying "Don't Use BTS"

The group BTS concluded "BTS Week," a special five-day segment on the American NBC program "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," on the 2nd (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon, Intern Reporter Song Seung-seop] The 'fairness controversy' that started with the Cho Kuk incident and continued with Incheon International Airport Corporation (Incheon International Airport Corporation) has now spread to the popular music industry. The 2030 generation's standard of judgment regarding BTS's special military service exemption was also 'fairness' as the top priority value. When asked how they viewed the application of the special military service exemption system to BTS, who have enhanced national prestige through K-pop, most 2030 respondents answered that it was 'unfair and unjust.' The reason converged on the idea that 'the criteria are not fair.' Office worker Kim Seung-hyun (26) said, "BTS's activities are seen more as for private interests rather than for 'national interest,'" adding, "It's the same logic as not giving separate tax reduction benefits just because a product made by Samsung brings profit to the country."

◆ Whether for or against, 'we dislike unfairness' = Among 14 people in their 20s and 30s contacted by this outlet, 11 expressed such opposing opinions. Academy instructor Gong Ra-mi (30) said, "Who can decide what the criteria for 'enhancing national prestige,' which justifies special military service, should be?" There was also criticism that this controversy itself is a product of prejudice. University student Lee Pureum (21) said, "The claim that because BTS reached number one on the US Billboard chart, they raised the country's status and therefore deserve benefits is cultural inferiority," and asked, "If military benefits are given to those who raise national prestige through music, what about female groups who have also raised national prestige?"

No matter what opinion they held, the logic commonly presented by the 2030 generation was essentially similar. Some supported by saying, "Son Heung-min gets it, so why not BTS?" while others opposed by saying, "Just as Samsung (female groups) do not receive benefits, they should not either." Office worker Yoo Jung-hoon (31) said, "We need to consider fairness with athletes who receive benefits for winning medals at international competitions," adding, "Since the status of entertainers has risen significantly, society should also reflect this change." Graduate student Kim Joon-sik (27), residing in Tokyo, Japan, said, "Researchers also receive special military service exemptions under the pretext of national science and technology development," and stated, "BTS also contributes to national development in a different way, so they deserve to receive the exemption."

◆ Repetitive controversy at every National Assembly audit... "Don't use it for politics" = Job seeker Park Ki-dam (31) said, "Last year, the government announced plans to improve the alternative military service system, excluding popular culture artists and reducing the number of beneficiaries," adding, "Yet, mentioning BTS before the National Assembly audit seems politically motivated." Under the current Military Service Act, professional researchers, industrial technicians, artists, and athletes are designated as alternative military service personnel, but popular culture artists are not included. BTS's fan club 'ARMY' has never officially stated a position on BTS's special military service exemption, but in 2018, they expressed rejection by commenting on a politician's Facebook post advocating military privileges, saying "Don't use BTS for politics," and "ARMY has never said they want military exemption."

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