South Korean boy band BTS will soon take a short hiatus from the entertainment industry to fulfill the two-year mandatory military service. While there is not enlistment date yet, the seven members shared their thoughts about its imminent arrival.
In an interview with CBS' This Morning, Jin (whose real name is Kim Seok Jin), one of the group's four vocalists, said they are not worried about the mandatory military service as it is expected of them as a citizen of South Korea.
"As a Korean, it's natural," the 26-year-old K-pop idol told This Morning reporter Seth Doane, as quoted by Entertainment Tonight. "And, someday, when duty calls we'll be ready to respond and do our best," he added.
As for Jungkook (whose real name is Jeon Jung Kook), he does not want to think about the military enlistment at this point as they have something really good going. Similarly, the group's leader and rapper, RM (whose real name is Rap Monster), said: "That's the answer. We just enjoy the ride, live in the moment. That's all we can do."
Enlisting in the military is mandatory for Korean males between the ages of 18 and 28. The length of the mandatory military service, however, varies based on a military branch - active duty soldiers serve 21 months in the Army or Marine Corps, 23 months in the Navy, and 24 months in the Air Force.
Going by their age, the first BTS member that will be enlisting in the military would be Jin and will be followed by Suga (whose real name is Min Yoon Gi), J-Hope (whose real name is Jung Ho Seok), RM, Jimin (whose real name is Park Ji Min), V (whose real name is Kim Tae Hyung), and the group's maknae or youngest member, Jungkook (whose real name is Jeon Jung Kook).
For now, BTS is busy gearing up for BTS World Tour Love Yourself: Speak Yourself, which will kick off on May 4 in Pasadena, California. The first leg consists of six shows across North America, while the second leg consists of only two shows in South America. The third and fourth legs, on the other hand, will respectively have four shows across Europe and Asia.
In addition to their upcoming world tour, the seven-member boy band is also busy promoting their sixth extended play (EP), Map of the Soul: Persona, which was released on April 12 via Big Hit Entertainment.
