BTS To Start Mandatory Military Service In South Korea

BTS's record label confirmed on Monday, October 17th, that all seven members of the band will soon start their mandatory military service. The K-pop group's oldest member, Jin, is expected to start the process at the end of October, Big Hit explained in a statement.

"After the phenomenal concert to support Busan's bid for the World Expo 2030, and as each individual embarks on solo endeavors, it's the perfect time and the members of BTS are honored to serve," Big Hit Music wrote. "Since the creation of BTS over ten years ago, the band has risen to international success, broken records, and catapulted K-Pop into the global stratosphere. BIGHIT MUSIC has focused to the milestone moment when it would be possible to respect the needs of the country and for these healthy young men to serve with their countrymen, and that's now."

NPR explains that all able-bodied men are to serve at least 18 months in the armed forces by the age of 28 due to ongoing threats from North Korea. The label also told fans the global sensations will reconvene as a complete group three years down the road, in 2025.

"Group member Jin will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is concluded at the end of October. He will then follow the enlistment procedure of the Korean government," the statement continued. "Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans. Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment."

The news comes months after BTS announced they would be taking breaks from their duties as a band to pursue solo endeavors. The announcement followed the release of their latest album, Proof. Big Hit concluded their statement by writing, "'Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)' is more than a track from their latest album, it is a promise, there's much more yet to come in the years ahead from BTS."