BTS Still 'Very Much Expected' To Complete Military Service Despite Super Stardom

According to Gunn Kim, South Korea's ambassador to Britain, record-breaking K-pop band BTS are 'very much expected' to complete military service.

In South Korea, it is required that all men aged 18 to 28 serve 18 months of military service.

Despite their massive fanbase and online following, it seems that BTS may not be an exception to this rule.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Kim said: "It is very much expected that young Korean men serve the country and those BTS members are role models for many young-generation Koreans.

"Most of our people expect that our members of BTS will fulfil their obligation as citizens of Korea. Eventually I think that will happen."

This isn't the first time that the band's potential military service has been called into question.

In December 2020, South Korea's National Assembly were said to have passed a revision to the country's Military Service Act that saved the group's oldest members from last minute conscription.

The revised law lets K-pop stars postpone their military service until they turn 30, leading fans of the group, who call themselves the Army, rejoicing at the news.

However, with the band's eldest member Kim Seok-jin turning 30 in December this year, conscription has once again been a topic that surrounds the band.

The popular band has broken records since forming in 2013, from having the most followers on Instagram for a music group, with 61.9 million, to becoming the first K-pop group nominated for a Grammy back in 2020.

Taking to Twitter to share their excitement for their nomination at the time, the band wrote: "Thank you to everyone who listened to our music and empathised with it in difficult times. Above all, it is you ARMY that made the miracle of (us becoming) a Grammy-nominated artist. Thank you and love you always."

However, the band did not win, with the award going to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande for 'Rain on Me'.

Fans quickly took to Twitter to comment on the loss, with one saying: "I really try not to give the #scammys any of my attention but how tf did BTS not win Best Pop Duo/Group Performance?! Like… it doesn’t make any sense?? Dynamite was literally played everywhere and they performed it whenever they had the chance. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!"

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