Young men born in South Korea have hit a hard time: current legislation obliges them to do military service before their twenties. Only athletes who have won medals at the Olympic Games and musicians – for example in the classical and folk genres appreciated by the elite – can escape. Pop singers are excluded from the exceptions – at least according to the current status. For years there has been a heated debate in South Korea about how to deal with the seven musicians from BTS.
Does the will of the people decide?
Now time is of the essence: On December 4th, the oldest member of the band, Jin, will be 30 years old. On August 31, it was revealed that South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup was considering a poll to gather public opinion on convening the world-famous septet. Before the start of the survey, however, some questions should be clarified – for example, which independent agency is conducting the study, how long and who should be surveyed.
BTS bring billions to South Korea
Also, the poll will only be one of many factors in the decision-making process. Among other things, the importance of military service and the economic advantages that the boy band brings to the country are to be weighed up. The last point in particular should not be neglected: A few years ago, BTS sales accounted for 0.3 percent of South Korea’s total gross domestic product.