BTS members, during their recent interview with the Rolling Stone, answered questions everything from xenophobia and masculinity to romantic relationships. The group also talked about their military service and life after it.
 |
| Credit: Courtesy of BTS & HYBE | Giphy |
All men in South Korea are required to enlist in the
military by their 28th birthday, with few exceptions and these are:
Athletes who have won medals in the Olympics or Asian Games are exempt from
serving, but there were no such exemptions for award winning K-Pop idols until
last year.
Back in December 2020, a few days before BTS Jin’s 28th
birthday, the South Korea government passed the so-called “BTS Law,” where male
K-Pop celebrities who received government medals for their domestic and global
cultural contributions can now apply for deferment until the age of 30.
So, a pop-culture artist or K-Pop celebrity who was
recommended by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to have greatly
enhanced the image of Korea both domestic and international would now be able
to wait until he is 30 to serve.
BTS Jin told the Rolling Stone that, “I think the
country sort of told me, ‘You’re doing this well, and we will give you a little
bit more time.” He also said that he plans to make the most of his time until he
is called to serve the military.
[Military service] is an important duty for our country. So I feel that I will try to work as hard as I can and do the most I can until I am called.
— Jin
For BTS six younger members, Jin believes and trusts
them to make their own decisions about when and how they will enlist for the
military service.
I have no doubt that the other members will make a good decision because, you know, this is not something that I can tell them what to do. [If they do spend time as a six-piece,] “I’ll be sad, but I’ll be watching them on the internet and cheering them on.
— Jin
Similar to Jin, BTS V has the confidence that
everything will work out for the best. He also believes that the ARMY will
remain part of the BTS’s life throughout their military service and after that.
So, yes, we will want to see ARMY as we do now. I’m sure it will work out so that we can continue to see ARMY. About military service, or what will happen, we haven’t discussed it in the specifics amongst ourselves, but I’m sure it’ll work out eventually.
— V (Kim Taehyung)
With the new law in place regarding the extension, BTS
Jimin is not required to serve until 2025; however, he is already looking far
into BTS’s future. So, what future does he see? It’s beautiful and everlasting.
I don’t think I’ve ever really thought of being not a part of this group. I can’t imagine what I would do on my own. I think when I become older, and I grow my own beard, I would like to think that at the end, when I’m too old to dance, I would just like to sit onstage with the other members and sing and engage with the fans. I think that would be great, too. So, I’d like to keep this going as long as I possibly can.
— Jimin