South Korea’s military service is a mandatory duty that requires citizens between the ages of 18 and 28 to enlist. K-pop stars, even the most popular ones like the BIGBANG members, are not exempted from doing this compulsory duty.
Being in the business for over a decade, G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, Daesung, and Seungri knew that their time was running out in the industry as they were in that age bracket to enlist. Even before entering the entertainment world, the boys were already aware that they would have to halt their careers for at least two years to complete their military service. This was never an issue for them as they were already prepared for it.
What worried G-Dragon at the time was not because they would be absent from the limelight for quite a while, but what will happen when they return. But fans promised them that they will wait for them and will still support them no matter what. In return, BIGBANG promised to return as a five-member group.
During the “BIGBANG 2017 Concert Last Dance in Seoul,” G-Dragon, Taeyang, Daesung, and former member Seungri assured the fans that it wouldn’t be their “last dance.” T.O.P was already serving at the military at the time, so he was not at the concert. It was during this time that he was involved in a marijuana scandal with ex-girlfriend Han Seo Hee.
Near the end of the concert, the members were emotional as it was their last performance before they go on hiatus due to -Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung’s upcoming enlistment. “The ‘last dance’ doesn’t mean much to us. I am confident that it won’t be our last, and we will see each other soon if you (fans) stay where you are,” G-Dragon said.
While their enlistment went smoothly, what happened while the older boys were away was very shocking. Seungri didn’t schedule his enlistment date at the time because he was completing his obligation as an artist first, like his solo album, tour, and appearances.
But then Seungri was embroiled in one of the biggest scandals in K-pop history. He was charged with multiple crimes, including soliciting prostitutes, that led the idol to retire from the industry to focus on this matter.
So the question now is, will BIGBANG still return as a fivesome as they promised? For now, it is impossible to confirm their plan as three of the members are still currently completing their military service. T.O.P was already discharged but has not mentioned anything about K-pop at all.
Since Seungri is retired from the entertainment world, he can't join the other BIGBANG members if they’ll have a concert after their discharge later this year. It is also worth noting that Seungri is no longer an artist of YG Entertainment, so he is not obliged to join the other boys unless they bring him as a guest.
