[Comprehensive] "BTS Must Serve in the Military Too" Youths 'Boiling' Over 'BTS Byeongteuk' Controversy

Political Circles Contemplate Military Service Exemption for K-POP Sensation BTS
Some Youth Express "Resentment... BTS Should Serve in the Military Too"
BTS Previously Clearly Stated Their Intention to Enlist
Criticism Arises That Political Circles Have Created Controversy Around BTS

On the 22nd of last month, the group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) made their first appearance on NPR's famous music program, the "Tiny Desk Concert."
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Park Yang-woo, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, recently expressed the view that a military service exemption for BTS, who topped the Billboard charts, is necessary. However, there are also many voices opposing this. While BTS's achievements in elevating the status of Korean pop music are acknowledged, the idea of exempting them from military service does not easily gain consensus among young people.

Furthermore, although Olympic gold medals won by national athletes are something all citizens can agree on, there is no guarantee that everyone likes BTS's music, so some argue that the standard itself is inappropriate when compared to gold medal-winning athletes.

However, all BTS members have consistently stated their intention to enlist. Considering the situation as a whole, the issue of BTS's military service exemption, which has arisen in the political arena, has put BTS in an awkward position, even causing controversy. As a result, there are opinions within the political sphere that the issue of BTS's enlistment should no longer be mentioned.

On the 7th, at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) audit, when Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi asked Minister Park about his thoughts on military service deferral and exemptions for popular culture artists, he replied, "It needs to be reviewed positively." He added, "There are many opinions that popular culture artists, in addition to pure arts and sports, should also receive special treatment," and said, "I hope they receive favorable treatment regarding military service."

Minister Park also stated, "Discussions must be held not only with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism but also with related agencies such as the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Manpower Administration, and public sentiment must also be considered." Accordingly, it is expected that the military service exemption plan for BTS, which has emerged in the political arena, will be actively discussed.

However, some express discomfort with the 'BTS military exemption' movement. A man in his 20s, who identified himself as a university student, said, "The fact that military exemption is being discussed just because BTS is popular feels somewhat unfair."

He continued, "No matter how popular BTS is, the argument that they should not serve in the military for that reason seems excessive." He added, "There may be people who do not like BTS's music, so treating them the same as athletes who won gold medals at the Olympics seems contradictory."

Recruits who have enlisted are jogging in place following the instructor's orders.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Criticism also came from men who have completed their military service. Kim, a man in his 30s and an office worker, said, "BTS themselves have expressed their stance on enlistment, saying they will just go," and criticized, "Since they say they will enlist, the political sphere using BTS in this way seems to be solely for party promotion."

In fact, BTS stated in an interview with the US CBS 'Sunday Morning' on April 18 last year (local time), "As Koreans, military service is a given, and we will go if the country calls."

When asked if they worry about the team disbanding or members going their separate ways, Jungkook (real name Jeon Jung-kook, 23) said, "I don't want to think about it in advance," drawing a line. RM (real name Kim Nam-joon, 26) also said, "We are just enjoying the present and doing our best."

Meanwhile, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the party's Supreme Council meeting on the 7th, "Continuing to discuss BTS's military service issue in the political arena is uncomfortable for the public to see and is not something BTS themselves want, so I hope people will refrain from talking about it now."

Previously, BTS members have consistently stated that "military service is a natural duty." However, in the political arena, claims considering military service exemptions for BTS have continued, mainly from ruling party members.

Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi also introduced a bill to amend the Military Service Act last month, which includes provisions to defer military service for popular culture artists after BTS topped the Billboard singles chart.

Supreme Council member Roh Woong-rae also advocated for BTS's military service exemption. On the 6th, he appeared on CBS Radio's 'Sisa Jaki Jung Kwan-yong' and said, "If the biggest issue is fairness and justice, this could be a representative discrimination issue," and argued that popular culture artists should be included as exemption candidates.

Meanwhile, BTS's eldest member Jin (Kim Seok-jin, 28), born in 1992, is scheduled to enlist soon. Following him, the members will serve in the military in order of age: Suga (Min Yoon-gi, 27), RM (Kim Nam-joon, 26), J-Hope (Jung Ho-seok, 26), Jimin (Park Ji-min, 25), V (Kim Tae-hyung, 25), and Jungkook (Jeon Jung-kook, 23).

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