International media outlets from the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan have been intensively covering the military enlistment of the group BTS (RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook).
Japanese media ANN reported on December 17 that BTS entered a full military hiatus after members Jimin and Jungkook enlisted on December 12th. Using the perspective of an ANN Seoul bureau cameraman with military experience, the report also introduced South Korea's military service system.
ANN mentioned that in South Korea, men aged between 20 and 28 are obligated to serve in the military, with service durations of 18 months for the army and 20 months for the navy. While sports athletes may receive military exemption for winning medals in events like the Olympics, this does not apply to popular artists like BTS, who are expected to resume group activities in 2025.
All BTS members, except Suga who is serving as a public service worker due to shoulder surgery and its aftermath, are currently serving in the army. The report also mentioned that Jin, the first to enlist, and J-Hope, the second, both received the honor of being selected as special-class soldiers due to their exemplary military service.
Previously, American media CNN focused intensively on South Korea's military service system, and The New York Times calculated the time it will take for all BTS members to complete their service and resume activities.
Jeff Benjamin, a columnist for American Billboard Magazine, stated, "Generally, in any country around the world, if an artist group takes a break, it affects their popularity. However, if there are those who can resist this formula, it's BTS."
The British BBC compared BTS to The Beatles, a British band that debuted in 1963. The Beatles achieved phenomenal popularity, breaking into a U.S. Billboard singles chart dominated by American artists in 1964 with 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and appearing on 'The Ed Sullivan Show,' achieving over 60% viewership (with more than 73 million viewers).
BBC reported that Imagine if the Beatles broke up at the height of their fame to join the army. That's what the members of BTS, the world's biggest pop band, are doing right now.
BBC continued, "In South Korea, healthy men between 18 and 28 are required to serve in the military. Just four weeks ago, Jungkook reached the pinnacle of his crossover solo career in New York, U.S.A. Despite his soaring popularity, he had to stop everything and return to South Korea."
The report added that South Korea is technically still at war with North Korea, and most men must serve in the military for 18 months.
Quoting Grace Kao, a professor at Yale University, BBC added, "To Western fans, it seems cruel to have to stop activities at the peak of one's career and take a forced break."
Meanwhile, BTS plans to resume full-group activities after V, RM, Jimin, and Jungkook complete their service in June 2025. BTS members have also expressed their excitement and anticipation for reuniting with fans in 2025.
In a video introducing his first solo album 'GOLDEN,' released on November 3, Jungkook shared, "Like the other members, I think we've become stronger in many ways by releasing solo singles and albums. I consider these activities as part of BTS." He added, "I can assure you of this: if BTS comes together again in 2025, it will be really amazing. I'm looking forward to it even more than you (fans) are."
