Big Hit Music, BTS’ label and management company, has announced that all seven members of the band will be serving in the South Korean military.
The company said the group will resume their music careers “around 2025” after everyone completes their service.
“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,” Big Hit’s statement expressed. “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.”
The first member to start service will be Kim Seok-Jin (also known as Jin), the oldest member of the group (at age 29). His service is set to begin after he releases his new solo album.
Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men are required to serve at least 18 months in the armed forces by age 28. The age restriction can be altered if the person being drafted is an athlete or performing artist that has an extensive schedule.