BTS May Get Military Exemption

Members of wildly popular K-pop group BTS may come under special review as the singers reach the age of mandatory military service.

Noh Hyeong-ouk, minister of Seoul’s Office for Government Policy Coordination, said a “comprehensive review” is needed regarding military service obligations of BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook.

Noh told South Korean ruling party lawmaker Kim Byung-wook and others at a parliamentary audit that BTS’s economic relevance should be taken into consideration. “BTS ranked No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard charts, and the band has had an annual $4.75 billion impact” on the South Korean economy, Noh said. “We need to review the need for an open-door policy regarding special exceptions from military service in the K-pop industry, in order to provide motives for Korea’s expansion as a cultural content powerhouse,” the South Korean government official said.

Noh’s remarks comes a month after South Korea’s military confirmed BTS would not be exempted from military service, required by law for South Korean men between ages 18 and 28. The oldest BTS member, Jin, will turn 27 in December, and the remaining six members are expected to reach conscription age within the next few years. Penalties for not completing service include prohibition on overseas travel.

Meanwhile, BTS shared a video Friday for their “Make It Right” remix featuring Lauv. The “Make It Right” video features scenes of BTS performing the song live interspersed with an animated story that shows a girl help a boy take on a journey and slay a dragon. The remix features lyrics in English and Korean.

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The original version of “Make It Right” appears on BTS’ EP Map of the Soul: Persona, which was released in April. BTS members RM, Suga and J-Hope co-wrote the song with Ed Sheeran. BTS will perform at the KIIS Jingle Ball concert in December.