Members of the iconic K-pop boy band, BTS, are stepping away from their best-selling career to undertake their compulsory South Korean military service, the BBC reported Monday.
All able-bodied South Korean men must complete about two years of military service at some point between the ages of 18 and 28, but the boy band members were given a few years extra before having to take part, the BBC reported. All seven members of BTS were permitted to postpone their service until they turned 30, the outlet noted.
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The oldest band member, Jin, 29, will start preparing for his military service in November, with the remaining six members also planning to follow through with their service, the BBC noted. The entire band was able to defer their compulsory service in 2020, according to another report from the BBC at the time.
“Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment,” the band’s management company said in a statement, according to the BBC. A day before the announcement, Jin posted a message to his fans on Instagram, saying “best moment is yet to come.” (RELATED: This Incredible — And True — Korean War Story Is Getting Hollywood Treatment That Would Make Tom Cruise Jealous)
South Korea’s defense minister, Lee Jong-sup, has suggested the band can continue performing while enlisted, but the BBC indicated BTS will likely not get back together for at least a few years.