Jin, the eldest of seven BTS stars, will begin his military service in South Korea on December 13 and will become the first member of the legendary K-pop boy band to comply with his country’s law, they reported Thursday. local media.
All South Korean men under the age of 30 are required to do mandatory military service for about two years, mainly due to the threat from North Korea. And Jin, who at 29 is the oldest of the seven BTS, is nearing the deadline.
Affected on the front line
According to the Yonhap news agency, citing military sources, he will enlist on December 13 and complete his mandatory five-week classes in Yeoncheon, near Seoul, before being assigned to “a front-line unit.”
The singer had already hinted on social networks that he would be stationed on the “front line”, that is, probably near the border with North Korea. The news had shocked BTS fans.
“My heart literally broke when I read that he was going to be sent to the front,” one user tweeted. “Why the first line? Why?”
“I can’t help but think they are sending him to the hardest, scariest place to punish him,” another commented.
Discussion around a group exemption
There has long been debate in South Korea over whether or not to grant the group exemptions from military service, given their contribution to the country’s economy and culture. These exemptions are already granted to Olympic medalists and high-level classical musicians, among others.
BTS’s agent previously announced last month that the group’s members will do their military service well. In August, the Ministry of Defense clarified that the seven children could continue to play and perform on stage during their presence in the army.
Source: BFM TV
