The subject of BTS’s potential military exemptions has come up again and fans now know a bit about how the members themselves feel about it.
Recently, HYBE CCO Lee Jin Hyung attended the “BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE THE CITY – LAS VEGAS” press conference in Las Vegas and spoke about the possibility of BTS getting a military exemption. He said, “We hope that the revision of the Military Service Act will be concluded as soon as possible.”
He also spoke about how he realizes the issue of military service is important in South Korea.
While 28 years old is the maximum age until a South Korean man can wait to fulfill his duties, BTS were allowed to defer their enlistment until 30 years old due to a new amendment that passed in December of 2020.
According to the new amendment, Jin must enlist in the military before 2022 ends. There have been endless suggestions by some members of the National Assembly who proposed an exemption for artists like BTS. However, no decision has been reached yet.
Lee Jin Hyung explained that the BTS members have left this matter in the hands of the company adding,
“BTS have already conveyed that they would accept the call of duty when the nation calls them and they have not changed that opinion.
However, as the policy on military service changed a little, and as the members are experiencing changes to the Military Service Act that they did not expect, they’re monitoring the situation while discussing the matter with the company.”
The BTS members had decided to leave the matter to the hands of the company after the newly proposed bills were suggested.
The HYBE COO then said something that later gained backlash, he said,
“The policy on military service is changing and its true that the BTS members are having a hard time because its difficult for them to predict the timing. Its difficult for them to make plans, both BTS and the company are keeping a close eye on the proposed amendment.”
What he said about ‘BTS having a hard time’ garnered attention and subsequent backlash from k-netizens.
The HYBE COO iterated that they wish for the issue to be resolved soon.
Source: (A)
