[theqoo]BTS, MILITARY SERVICE UNCERTAINTY IS MAKING THINGS DIFFICULT" HYBE JOINS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE

[drakan]

[theqoo] "BTS, MILITARY SERVICE UNCERTAINTY IS MAKING THINGS DIFFICULT" HYBE JOINS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE

bypannchoaApril 09, 2022

Regarding the military service issue surrounding the BTS members, their agency HYBE has requested that the National Assembly come to a conclusion as soon as possible.

 

As the revision of related laws is pending in the National Assembly, deciding which direction to take is the upmost difficult thing to do, so they want the discussion to be completed as soon as possible.

 

At a press conference held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, USA on the 9th (local time), HYBE Communications Chief Lee Jin-hyeong (CCO) said, "I hope that the discussion about the artist's military service will be settled in this National Assembly."

CCO Lee said, "Members have said they will 'accept the national call', but there is still no change," he added, "as the military service system has changed little by little since 2020, we are watching while consulting with the company." 

 

As the draft amendment to the Military Service Act is submitted to the National Assembly, it is awaiting a decision.

 

CCO Lee said, "After the submission of the Military Service Act, (the BTS members) have entrusted the judgment and work to the company."

 

"It is true that artists are having a hard time because the military service system has been changing in recent years and it is difficult to predict the timing (of the decision)," the CCO Lee said. "It is also difficult for the members to come up with their own plan."

 

He continued, "I plan to come to a conclusion in a direction that is beneficial to both our society and artists," he said while urging the discussion.

 

Currently, a bill to amend the Military Service Act is pending in the National Assembly to allow alternative service by incorporating BTS and other popular culture artists who have achieved great achievements as 'art agents'.

 

On the other hand,  regarding BTS being nominated for the Grammy Awards for the second consecutive year, the CCO Lee said that winning the Grammy Award cannot be a measure of evaluating the performance (of an artist's activities) and does not mean everything.

 

He also emphasized, "The company wants to see how far BTS can grow as artists and we want to be together with them until the end."

 

He added, "As you can see from the results of this year's 'Grammy', it is clear that BTS’s influence is growing in the US market. I think there are many music markets around the world left for them to expand in"

 

original post: here

 

1. If they are going for sure, they can just adjust their schedules beforehand so what's difficult about it? How can "uncertainty" make this "difficult"? They said themselves that they were gonna enlist

 

2. They are not enlisting ㅋㅋㅋㅋ I can bet on it ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Why did they keep on insisting that they would go all this time? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

 

3. They kept saying that they'd enlist so I really thought that they would

 

4. If they are saying with their mouth that they are going but aren't going, then what makes them different from Steve Yoo? (T/N: Public figure who evaded military enlistment. Yoo had repeatedly stated on television that he would fulfill his mandatory military service. But in 2002, just before he was to be drafted, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen - cr: wiki)

 

5. I feel like the company is holding unto them; Bangtan said that they would go so why is everyone around them making a fuss?;;

 

6. They might have said that they would go themselves, but if the company came out saying things like that, the members would get criticized, their image would get worse, and hostility towards them would only grow.

 

7. Rather than saying all of this, it's better to just enlist cleanly. Why is the company blowing this thing bigger by saying these things?...

 

8. Bangtan are honestly a fascinating group. When the other groups received countless hate due to scandals, Bangtan has been steadily receiving hate for 5 years because of this

 

9. Just enlist. Enlist and you won't fail

 

10. Wasn't it decided that they would go for sure??? What are they waiting for? They are already procrastinating

 

11. I thought that they'd enlist for sure ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Looks like the company got scared about looking at their profit forecast

 

12. They said that they would go themselves so they'll go

 

13. Can a 31 y.o still not be enlisting though?

 

14. I don't want to blame BTS, this is all political agenda

 

15. I seriously dislike HYBE

 

16. A controversy that wouldn't exist if they just enlist ㅇㅇ

 

17. Just enlist soon then ㅋ

 

18. If they are not required to go, then it's better not to go so they are saying they are saying that they are having it hard because of the confusing exemption talks... I'm jealous, I wanna have those kind of worries too

 

19. I don't want them to enlist

 

20. HYBE, get in your right minds, you crazy f*ckers and shares-obsessed f*ckers

 

 

 

 

 

[theqoo] BTS JIN "EXEMPTIONS ISSUE, IT'S THE AGENCY'S DOING... THE AGENCY'S WORDS = MY WORDS"

 

 

BTS Jin met with reporters ahead of the performance of 'BTS Permission to Dance on Stage-Las Vegas' at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, USA on the 9th (local time) and said, "The company's words are our words."

 

BTS legally deferred military enlistment until the age of 30 according to the amendment to the Military Service Act promulgated last year. However, according to the current military service law, Jin, the eldest member of BTS, who was born in 1992, must enlist by the end of this year.

 

Lee Jin-hyeong, CCO of Hybee's agency, said, "It is true that members are having a hard time because the military service system is changing and it is difficult to predict the timing of (military service). We are closely monitoring the amendment bill,” .

 

Regarding this, Jin said, "We talked a lot with the company about the military service issue, and we talked about entrusting the company as much as possible about this issue."

 

original post: here

 

1. Let's just cleanly enlist 

 

2. So they're basically saying that the members don't want to enlist 

 

3. Who cares, he can still go next year 

 

4. You can't even shield them saying that the members have a different stance nowㅋㅋㅋ

 

5. No but "the military service system is changing" is just bullsh*t what are they saying? Why is he just not enlisting?ㅋㅋㅋ

 

6. People who were claiming that this isn't what the members want but what the company wants, you guys all look like fools nowㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

 

7. Of course they don't want to enlist, why is everyone acting dumb here? They can just say that they don't want to go. They were saying they wanted to go because they had no other choice

 

8. You can totally tell he's asking to be exempt and I can understand it but it's still hilariousㅋㅋ

 

9. He's a 92'er and he's still not enlisted? This just shows that he doesn't want to go. Can people stop trying to act blind already ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

 

10. Honestly, from the singer's perspective, this is just right but the fans seriously needs to shut up and stop bullsh*ting. This isn't the first or second time they're acting like they want to go

 

 

source:  https://www.pannchoa.com/2022/04/theqoo-bts-military-service-uncertainty.html

[No1]

Have they had any promos since Butter? Because if not, theycould have been halfway into enlistement by now.

[Leicester]

They should just get it over with instead of dragging it out and waiting for whatever verdict is going to come out of this. They'd probably gain some bonus points from the public for enlisting even with a possible exemption anyways.

[Guest]

I think it's pretty obvious they don't want to go - the statement that they're leaving it up to the company seems like a way to cover their backs if they get the exemption because it will seem like HYBE's decision and not theirs - and it wouldn't be surprising, most South Korean men don't want to enlist.

Anyways if they don't get the exemption, Jin and Suga are going in this year for sure. Wonder if that's why HYBE is debuting like 4 groups this year, just in case.

[pinkpanda_spirit]

Lmao, can’t wait to see the gp reaction

[Yukihime]

Fans will be happy, the gp... Clearly not so much. 

 

They should have already went and be done with it.

Edited April 10, 2022 by Yukihime

[jay94]

I want the whole group to enlist and avoid the drama. Of course Hybe doesn't want them to enlist and doesn't want them to enlist because it would mean losing profit for 2 years. Hybe released so many DVDs, goods, merch, webtoons and games since Butter and we're not getting any music. The comeback is getting delayed, now it's rumored to be in June. What are they waiting for? 

[Yeul]

They clearly don't want to enlist, but who can blame them? From hanging out with Western A-list stars at the peak of you career to being stuck in a dorm of Korean soldiers for two years? 

[darklys]

Quote

4. If they are saying with their mouth that they are going but aren't going, then what makes them different from Steve Yoo? (T/N: Public figure who evaded military enlistment. Yoo had repeatedly stated on television that he would fulfill his mandatory military service. But in 2002, just before he was to be drafted, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen - cr: wiki)

Ouch. That's not someone BTS want to be compared with.

[Guest]

nam dareum is 10 years younger than jin and hes already in the army atm

[Dont mind me]

I dont want to say if BTS deserves to be excluded or not, but my main question I have that has been bothering me. Is the military training worse than what they went through early in their training days? I mean training for 12 hours a day is not the same as 6 hours of training in military day. So I am curious to understand why they would dodge it. Also, it wouldn't be in their best interest politically. So maybe they just need to listen to the public instead of the company. 

Edited April 10, 2022 by Dont mind me

[Jikrytae]

12 minutes ago, Dont mind me said:

I dont want to say if BTS deserves to be excluded or not, but my main question I have that has been bothering me. Is the military training worse than what they went through early in their training days? I mean training for 12 hours a day is not the same as 6 hours of training in military day. So I am curious to understand why they would dodge it. Also, it wouldn't be in their best interest politically. So maybe they just need to listen to the public instead of the company. 

I don't know how things work in Korea, but here, they purposely make military training hell (although the severity varies by branch, with marines getting the worst of it.) They break you down as a person so they can rebuild you in the military's image of what you should be. So if idol training is somehow worse than -- or even comparable to -- military training in Korea, then there's something seriously wrong with both systems. 

That said, these guys shouldn't be trying to dodge something all other Korean men have to go through just because they're entertainers. It would be different if it were optional for everyone else, but it's not, so it shouldn't be optional for them.

[succcjin]

I don't really care if they enlist, I mean it's probably better for their public image anywas, but as a fan I wonder...wtf is Hybe doing? It's almost May and we haven't had new non-collab/remix music for almost a year.  (yeah, sorry not counting whatever tf PTD was.....) No new mini album since BE....  I know BTS is a senior group and they don't have to pump out 3 comebacks per year, but c'mon... they don't have much time left before a potential enlistment, wouldn't it be better to release some new music?? They could have saved all this merch/games/webtoon stuff for when they actually are in they military to keep fans busy. I'm just annoyed at Hybe for not giving them new music.

[rananicolee]

Even if they get an exemption it’s not going to look good on them. Koreans adore their achievements in America but they’re saying that shouldn’t matter because they are a Korean group. 
 

I love them but I hope they enlist. 

[Chimichurri]

They should enlist altogether and cut the chase. But knowing BH they'll extend it as much as possible, which would be even worse for the group.

From a Korean perspective I'm not sure they'll have a possitive reaction if they don't enlist. It's part of if I had to endure it you bet you'll have to do it too mentality.

And of course they're leaving the company to handle this. That's why you have a company too lol

 

[Dont mind me]

1 hour ago, Jikrytae said:

I don't know how things work in Korea, but here, they purposely make military training hell (although the severity varies by branch, with marines getting the worst of it.) They break you down as a person so they can rebuild you in the military's image of what you should be. So if idol training is somehow worse than -- or even comparable to -- military training in Korea, then there's something seriously wrong with both systems. 

That said, these guys shouldn't be trying to dodge something all other Korean men have to go through just because they're entertainers. It would be different if it were optional for everyone else, but it's not, so it shouldn't be optional for them.

Working for any korean company is similar to being in the military somehow. When I was over there for work, my division worked 12 hours and had even prepared 6 months work for me. We will never know military is work harder than idol training, but what I have heard so far isn't great either. 10 hours  of training of vocals and dance and than media, combined with a diet as well. It could be that military is worse like you described, but do you honestly think BTS would go through the same as others?

[Music Junkie]

10 hours ago, jay94 said:

I want the whole group to enlist and avoid the drama. Of course Hybe doesn't want them to enlist and doesn't want them to enlist because it would mean losing profit for 2 years. Hybe released so many DVDs, goods, merch, webtoons and games since Butter and we're not getting any music. The comeback is getting delayed, now it's rumored to be in June. What are they waiting for? 

2 years is a lifetime in K-pop industry, and Hybe knows that well, since it took less that 2 years for BTS to go from nugudom to their generation's strongest fandom. 2 years were enough for Bigbang to see their reputation stained with all kinds of scandals. It also took less than 2 years for SNSD to dethrone Wonder Girls as the nation's girlgroup, and it took the same amount of time for Twice to steal the spot from SNSD seven years later. God knows what could happen in 2 years on a global and national scale. There's always this risk of the Hallyu wave bursting in the Western world, too.

Hence what's why they're rushing to debut all of these younger boygroups and slightly neglegting BTS' musical output. They're trying to forge a backup business plan. It's pretty clever to be fair, as many agencies didn't put much effort and simply introduced their brand new group as a prettier or upgraded version of their inactive bands.

[No1]

3 hours ago, marupyon said:

2 years is a lifetime in K-pop industry, and Hybe knows that well, since it took less that 2 years for BTS to go from nugudom to their generation's strongest fandom. 2 years were enough for Bigbang to see their reputation stained with all kinds of scandals. It also took less than 2 years for SNSD to dethrone Wonder Girls as the nation's girlgroup, and it took the same amount of time for Twice to steal the spot from SNSD seven years later. God knows what could happen in 2 years on a global and national scale. There's always this risk of the Hallyu wave bursting in the Western world, too.

Hence what's why they're rushing to debut all of these younger boygroups and slightly neglegting BTS' musical output. They're trying to forge a backup business plan. It's pretty clever to be fair, as many agencies didn't put much effort and simply introduced their brand new group as a prettier or upgraded version of their inactive bands.

You're comparing apples and pears for the most part. BB had their reputation shattered by their own doing (drugs, dui,  and of course Burning Sun), and for the SNSD to Twice case, Jessica being ousted also majorly contributed to this change. Although SNSD did overtake WG, WG was still a top tier among with them and Kara. Even now, SNSD is still among the most popular ggs even after 15 years, that is rare.

Taking it back to BTS; as I mentioned before, they haven't had any promotions as a group for a good half a year now, and fans are willing to wait for them. The law might switch the entlistement time back to a little over two years, which would eventually lose them even more time if they keep deferring.

If they play their cards right and enlist as a group instead of one by one (to prolong solos), the PR of a full BTS comeback after they finish their required enlistment will be huge. There is very little risk of any other group dethroning BTS as they are now -  they should take advantage of that. They can even apply for public service instead of other choices like Minho and other idols who chose to become marines and other super hard soldier thingies that I don't even know how to refer to.

Not enlisting at all is the thing that WILL lose them their popularity and security at the top. Perhaps not so much with fans, but the public will eat them alive. Is there a chance that another bg will have a sudden huge explosion of success both in Korea and internationally? There always is, but as you said, that kind of growth is more often than not, slow to happen. And the top place can be shared, just like WonSoKa. More for us, the way I see it. They're set to go.

Yeah, they might not want to do it, but that is a different conversation to be had.

Edited April 10, 2022 by No1

[CrazyX]

10 hours ago, Yeul said:

They don't want to enlist, but who can blame them? From hanging out with Western A-list stars at the peak of you career to being stuck in of Korean soldiers for two years? 

tbh.

[jeong jaehyuns boyfriend]

from an international fan's point of view... this might sound ignorant of me but theres literally no point of them enlisting other than to satisfy some antiquated cultural formality that at the end of the day, wouldnt even make a difference. i dont think the korean army is gonna be any different or even cares whether or not these 7 kpop idols enlist or dont. 

[drakan]

3 hours ago, Jikrytae said:

I don't know how things work in Korea, but here, they purposely make military training hell (although the severity varies by branch, with marines getting the worst of it.) They break you down as a person so they can rebuild you in the military's image of what you should be. So if idol training is somehow worse than -- or even comparable to -- military training in Korea, then there's something seriously wrong with both systems. 

That said, these guys shouldn't be trying to dodge something all other Korean men have to go through just because they're entertainers. It would be different if it were optional for everyone else, but it's not, so it shouldn't be optional for them.

It's not like they're gonna enlist in the infantry division.  99% of idols do military band or social service to skirt through their enlistment period.

[CrazyX]

17 hours ago, jeong jaehyuns boyfriend said:

from an international fan's point of view... might sound ignorant of me but theres literally no point of them enlisting other than to satisfy some antiquated cultural formality that at the end of , wouldnt even make . i dont think the korean is gonna be any different or even cares whether or not 7 kpop idols enlist or dont. 

I agree with you

[Firestar]

20 hours ago, jeong jaehyuns boyfriend said:

from an international fan's point of view... this might sound ignorant of me but theres literally no point of them enlisting other than to satisfy some antiquated cultural formality that at the end of the day, wouldnt even make a difference. i dont think the korean army is gonna be any different or even cares whether or not these 7 kpop idols enlist or dont. 

Sure, but that's true of any person, no individual makes a difference to an army, but the system does matter. If you have mandatory conscription part of the way it works is saying "everyone has to do this, everyone sacrifices so everyone benefits" when you start saying "everyone sacrifices, unless they are rich or famous then they can get out of it" the system is undermined and starts to collapse. The optics of a bunch of rich men in great health and physical condition skipping out on serving so they can become even more rich is a tough one to sell when everyday people serve while in poor health, and sacrifice 2 years of earnings that they actually need. 

Basically the politicians are slow playing this as they gauge public reaction to see if having a big corporation in their debt (and a very popular group available to them for support) is worth the backlash from certain groups of voters (young men who have to serve, possibly mothers of men who have to serve, etc.).

Edited April 11, 2022 by Firestar

[babyv004]

21 hours ago, jeong jaehyuns boyfriend said:

from an international fan's point of view... this might sound ignorant of me but theres literally no point of them enlisting other than to satisfy some antiquated cultural formality that at the end of the day, wouldnt even make a difference. i dont think the korean army is gonna be any different or even cares whether or not these 7 kpop idols enlist or dont. 

so they should change their law to not be mandatory and only enlist those who want or at most all celebs dont need to enlist if they dont want.

Whatever you want to hear it or not, the enlistment is mandatory so they should enlist

 

you guys also cannot compare them to athletes that get exempted bc of their gold medal like i already saw people do (This is not directed to you comment but to everyone bringing athletes exemption as a exemple)
In reality athletes have to train every season to be the best in what their doing so they could compete with the best of the best around the world. They couldn't afford take 2 years break off training because they could get injured or run down and their physical performance would be horrible. They are also fighting with age and retirement because each year passed does affect their mobility and stamina. 

In other hand, Kpop stars achievements do not rely on skills alone. It's powered by fans, branding, image, looks, marketing, hype and even luck. And they can't achieve those things without the people around them who work their assess off to literally build these groups from scratch, from trainers, managers, image consultants, stylists, producers, lyricists, MV designers, directors, etc while athletes get there almost on their own bc of their skills

Also athletes' competition is judged by professionals for their performance, not judged by the love of the public.

Pretty sure that you guys never hear about idols that could not go on stage again bc a 2 years break. it was already proved that it doesn't affect their capability in singing nor dancing. It can however affect their popularity and that what is everyone (including idols, fans and kpop companies) is afraid but that is the life. you guys also dont wanna hear this but no one stays on top forever

Believe me, Kpop industry will not lost much without a idol/group, bc sooner or later another one will come to substitute them since it that way the industry was builded

 

edit: i dont know about others musicians that get exempted but like i said pretty sure that these people are competing with the best of the best in the world and judged in competions by professional not by fans and the public like any pop star around the world

Edited April 11, 2022 by babyv004

[Firestar]

1 hour ago, babyv004 said:

so they should change their law to not be mandatory and only enlist those who want or at most all celebs dont need to enlist if they dont want.

Whatever you want to hear it or not, the enlistment is mandatory so they should enlist

 

you guys also cannot compare them to athletes that get exempted bc of their gold medal like i already saw people do (This is not directed to you comment but to everyone bringing athletes exemption as a exemple)

The bigger thing on athlete exemptions is that you can only get one for winning (or medaling) in certain amateur events while representing Korea. Like Son didn't get an exemption for being a super-star in Europe and the most famous Korean athlete, if he hadn't helped the National team win gold for the nation at the Asian Games he would have had to serve. It's a clear distinction of purpose, if you do this thing for the nation's benefit, not your own, you can get exempted.