South Korea FORCES Pop Idols to Serve!
Jimin and Jung Kook of K-pop supergroup BTS have completed South Korea’s mandatory military service, reigniting global debate over why world-renowned celebrities must pause their careers for government orders.
At a Glance
Jimin and Jung Kook completed South Korea’s mandatory military service this week
All but one BTS member—Suga—have now returned to civilian life
Fans from multiple countries gathered to welcome the duo upon discharge
South Korea denied military exemptions typically granted to elite athletes and classical musicians
The full BTS group plans to reunite and perform again in 2025
Pop Stardom Meets State Mandate
For BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook, global superstardom wasn’t enough to sidestep South Korea’s strict military service laws. This week, the two idols officially completed their 18-month stint of compulsory duty, joining RM, V, Jin, and J-Hope among the recently discharged. Only Suga remains in service, expected to wrap up his alternative public work later this month.
The scene outside the military base was a striking testament to BTS’s enduring influence. International fans from the United States, Brazil, Japan, and other nations camped overnight to glimpse their heroes walking free. The spectacle was emotional and symbolic—a bittersweet moment marking the end of a government-imposed hiatus on artistry.
Watch a report: BTS Jimin, Jung Kook Discharged.
Cultural Clout Isn’t Enough
South Korea has long made military service compulsory for all able-bodied men between 18 and 28, though it offers exemptions to Olympic medalists and classical musicians who elevate national prestige. Yet despite BTS’s unparalleled contributions to South Korean soft power, including billions in tourism revenue and a permanent seat in global pop culture, its members were never deemed eligible for similar leniency.
Back in 2022, the nation’s parliament debated the possibility of granting special status to the group, but with no consensus, BTS voluntarily chose to enlist. The government did revise its Military Service Act in 2020 to allow some members to delay enlistment until age 30—an implicit nod to their unique value—but ultimately denied them the kinds of full exemptions given to others.
Critics argue this inconsistent standard reveals how South Korea’s military rules lag behind its cultural reality. If prestige and national representation justify exemptions, why does that calculus exclude the most prominent K-pop act in history?
Countdown to Comeback
Jin became the first BTS member to complete service in June 2024, followed by J-Hope in October, then RM and V just last week. With Jimin and Jung Kook now also discharged, only Suga remains—a fact that intensifies anticipation for the group’s full reunion in 2025.
Fans and analysts alike are already speculating on what that comeback might look like. The band has promised new music and live shows that will “surprise” fans, offering the hope of a triumphant return after a government-mandated pause that many still view as unjust.
In the U.S., where national service is voluntary and entertainers are free to pursue their careers uninterrupted, the story of BTS serves as a cultural contrast—and a reminder of how even modern soft power can be sidelined by rigid policy.