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A change in South Korean law actually extended the life of boyband BTS, currently the most successful pop group in the world.
South Korean men must do compulsory military service once they turn 28, if they haven’t already. Two of the group members, Jin and Suga, will soon turn 28 – Jin’s birthday is December 4 – meaning their time with the group was in danger.
The change in the law, however, extended the maximum age to 30 for those who can defer their service. The seven members of BTS have all been eligible for deferral since 2018, when they were awarded for their global cultural impact. Unlike some classical musicians and athletes – including Tottenham footballer Son Heung-min – they are not entirely exempt from service.
The change in the law was proposed in September, with Democratic Party member Jeon Yong-gi arguing: “For the sake of fairness, we’re not talking about exempting them from their duty, but pop musicians and artists like BTS – theirs. careers can blossom at 20. We can’t let military service block their way to the height of their careers. “
The decision grants another two years of success for the group that has just scored the first single in Korean language No. 1 in the US, with Life Goes On. Their new album Be is also number 1 in the US and number 2 in the UK. They have just been nominated for their first Grammy award, going up against Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and others in the category of best pop / duo group performances. It is the first time a K-pop group has been nominated for a Grammy.
Other major K-pop pop groups have temporarily disbanded or changed lineup as members embark on military service, such as Big Bang, which had 18 No. 1 in South Korea but went on hiatus in 2018.
Jin of BTS acknowledged the importance of military service, saying in 2019: “As a Korean, it’s natural. And one day, when duty calls, we will be ready to respond and do our best. “
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