20 Things You Didn't Know About BTS
1. They May Be Forced To Split Up Soon
National service is still a thing in South Korea, and able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 are expected to join the ranks of the military for between 21 months (army and marines) to 24 months (air force). While some South Korean citizens such as Olympic medalists, touring ballet dancers, classical musicians who have won certain awards, and those who place first in the Asian Games are exempt from conscription, K-Pop idols are not.
Jin (real name Kim Seokjin) is the eldest member of the group and, at 27 years old, is fast approaching the outside age at which he must enlist in one of the military branches. "As a Korean, it's natural. And, someday, when duty calls we'll be ready to respond and do our best." he said in an interview with CBS.
While the band will likely go on without any members who have to enlist, there will come a time when more than half are in at the same time and the band will be forced to go on hiatus. Still, as one of the driving forces behind the Korean economy, BTS may yet find that they have earned themselves an exemption.