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© Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Agency says BTS members will serve in South Korea's military
By KIM TONG-HYUNG SEOUL, South Korea©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.
24 Comments
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TokyoLiving
How??, as cheerleaders to cheer on the soldiers???.. LOL !!
otherworldly
Finally, the world is free from this bland faceless wallpaper music.
Seigi
They are law-abiding citizens who can entertain the world. Whiners here can't even do both.
shogun36
So, is that supposed to be a good thing or a bad thing?
you gotta be kidding me. Who was debating that?
Jasmine DuBois
To those of you cheering this, there are some people who have been kpop way before BTS. I'm not just an Army, but I'm a fan of several K-pop groups. I'm not argue with anyone on here because it'd be a waste of time and I'm not here for that.
But just know Army are very loyal to BTS and we always will be.
And to the person on here who thinks BTS is "bland faceless wallpaper music", maybe if you actually listened to and understood what their music was about, you'd probably have a better understanding of it. But you probably won't and I'm not gonna force you to. So I'll just minus your comment and call it a night.
K3PO
Many South Koreans have served before and many with serve after them.
That service has supported a dynamic democratic nation.
BTS fulfilling their military duties underlines, that to benefit from a free nation, you have to act to protect those benefits.
Let no one say they were rich folk dodging their dues.
Kuruki
It's definitely a big blow to the Korean economy and Kpop industry in general for BTS to go on hiatus for a while, but knowing their fan base, they will be met with much love upon their return.
Although I wish they didn't have to serve the army, I guess it goes to show that the Korean law system shows no special treatment for anyone and no one is exempt from the law.
Jimizo
I thought the same.
I wonder if the poster has served in the armed forces? My money would be on no. Not even ‘cheerleading’.
You can be free from it by not listening to it. It’s quite simple. What do you listen to?
From a PR point of view, this is probably good for both South Korea and BTS.
Ego Sum Lux Mundi
Well, Elvis pretty much 'died' the day they put him in the army, so hopefully BTS' will go the same way.
masterblaster
A respectable choice.
gogogo
The Korean army has a new weapon for the battefield, BTS songs.
Kumagaijin
Those boys look like they could benefit from getting a little grit under their fingernails. BTS to the DMZ has a nice ring to it.
Speed
Their company is going to rake in billions on their renion shows in two years.
Patricia Yarrow
Wow. For a delicious split-second, I thought K-Pop was now the President of the USA.
rcch
Today 08:42 am JST
“ Finally, the world is free from this bland faceless wallpaper music. “
Their music is harmless; I don’t know why you (and others) feel the need to bring such negativity here. I actually enjoy some of their songs, the butter one is pretty catchy, and(!), I’m gonna say it… I’m waiting for their return; there, I said it.
( some people take themselves too seriously; advice: chill :) )
englisc aspyrgend
Can not see why the rich high profile entertainers should get an exemption when thousands of ordinary people have their lives and careers interrupted? If the law of the land requires you to be conscripted then there should be no exceptions save on health grounds, deferral (not exemption) for education.
Not my taste in music but patently many millions do like them, however it is probably a good publicity move to preempt the debate and choose to do their military service, their management should be able to market that effectively both during and after their service period.
Samit Basu
Everyone is replaceable in the entertainment industry, even the BTS.
Meet HIVE's BTS replacement called XTX.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os_6c5j6YiQ
kaimycahl
BTS should be honored to serve their country. Once the finish they can come out and fizzle like the Backstreet Boys.
starpunk
Here in the US there are plenty of armchair generals who LOVE the drama of war on TV. Rah-rah, rah-rah, rah-rah!
Yes they can, and they have. Everyone from Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash have. Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones was in the Royal Air Force.
Wrong. The Hot 100 around the world and the music media is full of insipid trash. Has been for over 30 years now.
I barely remember as a kid the revolutionary synth-rock classic 'Popcorn' by a band called Hot Butter.
George Harrison said, 'Cheer Down' (whatever that means) in 1989.