Fans have long worried that the Boy Band, the world’s biggest argument, could derail their success through South Korea’s compulsory military service. Almost all the able-bodied men of the country serve in the army for 18 months till the age of 28 years.
But on Tuesday, parliament passed a bill allowing pop stars like BTS to suspend their service.
Previously, the law allowed special exemptions for top artists, athletes and musicians – for example, who have won classical music competitions – but not K-pop stars. According to a notification from the National Assembly, the amended laws now allow exemptions for people who are “excellent in popular culture and art.”
The amended law added that specific criteria for exemption would be decided by presidential decree.
The oldest BTS member, Jin, turns 28 on Friday. If the bill had not been passed, he would have had to register by the end of the year. Now, the law will buy him two more years.
BTS’s label, Big Hit Entertainment, has stated in earlier statements that military service was a “duty” that the band would complete.
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