In South Korea, males aged 18 and above are obligated to complete their military service unless exempted for valid reasons. Those enlisted in the army serve for about 18 months. Before RM and V, three BTS members had already begun their service -- Jin, J-Hope, and Suga. Jimin and Jungkook are scheduled to enlist on December 12.
RM and V joined the boot camp in Nonsan some 154 kilometers (96 miles) south of Seoul on December 11. The two singers garnered attention for revealing pictures of their shaved heads ahead of their enlistment. V had earlier applied for the Special Duty Team (SDT), a military police unit responsible for anti-terrorism missions.
Jin and J-Hope are currently serving as assistant army drill instructors, and the group's lead rapper Suga is a public service agent. Unlike the majority of soldiers, public service agents are assigned to public health centers, local offices, and other government offices to offer aid to public services. BTS is expected to resume its group activities in 2025 after all members complete their service.
Evading military service can significantly damage a male artist's reputation in South Korea technically at war with North Korea. Steve Yoo, a Korean-born American singer, had gained popularity for his extraordinary dancing style and sporty image until he acquired U.S. citizenship in 2002. He has been banned from entering South Korea due to widespread criticism that he changed nationality to dodge military conscription.
reporter
Kim Joo-heon
jhkim123@ajunews.com
