BTS and their Struggle with Authorities to Not Having to Join the Army

BTS, short for Bangtan Sonyeondan, is one of the biggest K-pop groups in the world, with a massive following of devoted fans known as the "ARMY." BTS's rise to fame has been meteoric, but the group has also faced challenges and obstacles along the way. One of the most significant challenges facing BTS is their obligation to serve in the South Korean army, and their struggle with authorities to not having to join the army.

BTS was formed in 2013 by Big Hit Entertainment, a South Korean entertainment company. The group initially struggled to gain recognition, but their breakthrough came in 2015 with the release of their album "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1." The album's lead single, "I Need U," was a massive hit, and BTS quickly gained a following both in Korea and around the world.

Since then, BTS has become a global phenomenon, with a massive fanbase in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The group has broken several records, including becoming the first K-pop group to perform at the Grammy Awards and the first Asian act to win the Billboard Music Award for Top Social Artist four years in a row.

All South Korean men are required to serve in the military for at least 18 months between the ages of 18 and 28. The South Korean army is seen as a crucial part of the country's national defense, and military service is considered a duty and an honor.

BTS members are no exception to this requirement. Most of the BTS members were born in the mid-1990s, meaning that they will soon reach the age at which they are required to enlist in the military. This has led to concerns among fans and within the music industry about the potential disruption to BTS's activities and career.

Despite their obligation to serve in the South Korean army, BTS has been vocal about their desire to continue their music careers without interruption. In a 2019 interview with CBS, BTS member RM said, "As a Korean, it's natural. And, someday, when duty calls, we'll be ready to respond and do our best." However, he also expressed his hope that the group could continue making music while serving in the army, saying, "We'll try to show the best of ourselves, even in that situation."

BTS's struggle with authorities to not having to join the army has been ongoing. In 2020, the South Korean government announced that it was considering allowing some K-pop artists to defer their military service. This news was met with excitement from BTS fans, who hoped that the group would be among those allowed to defer their service.

However, in 2021, the South Korean government announced that it would not be granting exemptions or deferrals for K-pop artists, citing concerns about fairness and national security. This news was a blow to BTS fans, who had hoped that the group would be able to continue making music without interruption.

BTS has not given up on their hope to continue their music careers while serving in the army. In a 2021 interview with Rolling Stone, BTS member Suga said, "If we have to serve in the military, we'll be away for a while, so we'll miss everyone, and that's not good. But I think that it's not just us. There are a lot of people who can't do what they want to do because of various reasons. So, we'll do what we have to do, and we'll come back."

BTS's struggle with authorities to not having to join the army is a significant issue for the group and their fans. The group's rise to fame has been meteoric, and they have become one of the most successful K-pop groups in history. However, their obligation to serve in the South Korean army has raised concerns about the potential disruption to their activities and career.

BTS has been vocal about their desire to continue making music while serving in the army, and they have expressed hope that they will be able to do so. While the South Korean government has not granted exemptions or deferrals for K-pop artists, BTS has not given up on their hope to continue their music careers. Whatever the future holds, it's clear that BTS's impact on the music industry and popular culture will be significant and long-lasting.