All seven members of popular K-pop group BTS will serve in the South Korean military, the group's record label and management company, Big Hit, announced on Monday.
According to Big Hit, BTS plans to rejoin as a group "around 2025" after all seven members have retired.
"Since its inception over a decade ago, BTS has achieved international success, broken records and catapulted K-pop into the global stratosphere," read part of the more ominous statement"BIGHIT MUSIC focuses on the critical steps that meet the needs of the nation and get these healthy young people to serve their fellow humans. It's now."
Big Hit says the first BTS member to join the army will be the oldest player in the group: Kim Seok-jin, who goes by the name Jin. The 29-year-old plans to sign when his solo career kicks off later this month
In South Korea's recruitment system, the country requires all able-bodied men to serve in the military for at least 18 months before turning 28, due to ongoing threats from North Korea. Certain athletes and artists, especially those working in the fields of classical and traditional music, are eligible for exemption.
When Kim turns 28 in 2020, the government will allow his employment to be delayed for 20 years to recognize BTS' efforts to "raise South Korea's international profile." He was one of the first K-pop stars to receive such a grace period.
In June, the group announced via video that they are currently on an indefinite hiatus. “After living 10 years as BTS and working on all our plans, my body would no longer grow,” RM rapper aka Kim Namjoon said in the video.