The oldest member of K-pop phenomenon BTS will begin his military service on
December 13, becoming the first in the band to enlist, local media reported
Thursday.
اضافة اعلان
All able-bodied South
Korean men under the age of 30 must perform about two
years of military service, mainly because the country remains technically at
war with nuclear-armed North Korea.
That means the age cut-off is approaching for 29-year-old Jin, senior member
of the hugely popular septet.
He will begin his mandatory five-week training at Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi
province before being deployed to a "frontline unit", the Yonhap news
agency reported, citing military and industry sources.
The singer had previously hinted on social media that he had been assigned
to the front line.
The news left fans overwhelmed and emotional, with some even expressing
concern about Jin's safety.
"My heart literally dropped when I read that he will be deployed to the
front line," one fan tweeted, adding: "This military thing that
surround BTS for years NEVER really concerns me until now. Why front line??
Why??"
Another fan said: "I can't help but think they're sending him to the
hardest scariest place as punishment."
BTS are credited with generating billions for the South Korean economy, and
their label enjoyed a surge in profits despite holding fewer concerts during
the coronavirus pandemic.
But the prospect of mandatory military service has long hovered over the
K-Pop superstars, and has triggered years-long debate in South Korea over
whether they deserved exemptions -- which are given to classical musicians and
Olympic medallists, for example.
Their agency announced last month that band members would carry out their
mandatory military service, starting with Jin.
Seoul's defence minister had said in August that BTS might be allowed
to continue performing and preparing for international concerts even while
undertaking military duties.
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