Image: Reuters Berita 24 English - A sudden decision by South Korean boy band BTS to stop performing live has reignited discussion over mil...
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| Image: Reuters |
Berita 24 English - A sudden decision by South Korean boy band BTS to stop performing live has reignited discussion over military conscription in a nation that sets global pop-culture trends while contending with a long-standing Cold War threat.
All able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to serve in the military for around two years as part of attempts to guard against a hostile North Korea, which is a very divisive issue in South Korea.
Over the years, specific categories of men have been granted exemptions, allowing them to postpone service for a predetermined amount of time or perform shorter service. These categories include men who place first or second in their respective sports, such as classical musicians and dancers, as well as men who win medals at the Olympics or Asian Games.
Globally renowned K-pop singers were permitted to delay their duty until the age of 30 under a 2019 amendment to the law.
A new legislation that would allow K-pop singers to complete just three weeks of military training is currently being discussed in parliament.
The result of the discussions in parliament will be significant for BTS, especially for the group's eldest member, Jin, who is known to fans.
The seven members of BTS have long been portrayed by the band's management firm as eager to fulfil their obligations, but as time passes, the reality of their two years of full-time military service becomes increasingly clear.
When Jin, 29, reaches 30, he will have served a complete sentence, which entails two years away from the public eye. Jin has put off serving as long as he can.
According to Yoon Sang-hyun, the legislator who introduced the amendment to include three weeks of training for K-pop singers, waiting for parliament to make a decision has been extremely stressful for Jin and his band mates and is the main reason they are taking a vacation from performing.
The members claimed that they were tired and needed a break, but Jin's military service was the true cause, Yoon told Reuters.
Consideration should be given to BTS's military service based on how much of a "soft power" boost they provided to South Korea, according to Yoon.
He claimed that BTS had completed a task that would have required more than 1,000 diplomats.
THE HARD TIME
With their peppy songs and social activities focused at uplifting young people, BTS have gained international acclaim since making their debut in 2013.
BTS met with American President Joe Biden at the White House in May to tackle hate crimes against Asians. Last year, BTS became the first Asian band to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards.
The band's Big Hit management business is one of the organisations that makes up the Korea Music Content Association, and its secretary-general, Choi Kwang-ho, described the wait for a decision as agonising.
Young artists have suffered because of unfulfilled expectations, according to Choi.
A Gallup survey conducted in April found that 33% of South Koreans opposed the measure exempting internationally successful K-pop stars from mandatory military service, with nearly 60% supporting it.
Although Big Hit official Lee Jin-hyung stated at a news conference in Las Vegas in April that certain band members were experiencing "hard times" due to "uncertainties" surrounding the legislative discussion, the band and their management business have refrained from commenting on the topic. He demanded a choice.
When Jin was questioned about Lee's remarks hours later, he replied that he was letting Big Hit handle the situation but added that what Lee stated reflected his viewpoint.
Not just the K-pop industry wants the regulations to alter. President Yoon Suk-new yeol's administration is considering granting exemptions to a few engineers and researchers working in the computer chip and other high-tech industries.
The Ministry of Defence cited a constitutional mandate that all citizens must carry out their responsibility to protect the nation.
According to a ministry official, adding pop culture musicians to the list of athletes and artists who qualify for the exemption "needs thorough consideration in terms of fairness."
Some young men also question whether BTS qualifies for special treatment.
Despite not being certain about BTS, Seo Chang-jun, 20, said he understood why Olympic winners received an exemption.
"All Koreans support the same side at national events like the Olympics, yet not everyone is a fan of BTS. They don't pique the curiosity of many individuals, "He informed Reuters.
