SEOUL, Feb 27 (Reuters) – A second member of Korea’s BTS – the primary Okay-pop band nominated for a Grammy – has begun the enlistment course of for necessary navy service, a administration official confirmed on Monday, two months after the group’s oldest member started his service.
BTS members mentioned final yr they might be part of the navy beginning with Jin, who turned 30 and enlisted in December after suspending his service so long as permitted.
An official on the band’s administration, BigHit Music, mentioned on Sunday {that a} second member, the 29-year-old j-hope, whose actual title is Jung Ho-seok, utilized to finish postponement of his personal enlistment.
“We wish to inform our followers that j-hope has initiated the navy enlistment course of,” the assertion mentioned. “We ask you in your continued love and assist for j-hope till he completes his navy service and safely returns.”
Newest Updates
View 2 extra tales
All able-bodied South Korean males ages 18-28 should serve within the navy for about two years.
A 2019 legislative revision allowed globally acknowledged Okay-pop stars to delay signing till they’re 30. Some lawmakers have pushed to sharply cut back their service alongside the traces of what’s required of Olympic and Asian Sport medallists and a few classical musicians, however their efforts made little progress.
South Korea’s defence minister has mentioned BTS members may carry out abroad whereas serving. Many artists have been designated as such “leisure troopers”.
In a separate assertion on Monday, BigHit mentioned j-hope would launch a solo single titled “on the road” on Friday, which he wrote as a “present” for followers to share his emotions towards them.
The seven-member group has pursued solo initiatives since saying a break from group musical actions in June.
Native media have mentioned that one other member, Suga, was judged unfit for energetic responsibility and would apply for group service as a substitute. BigHit declined to substantiate the report, citing privateness issues, however mentioned all members would fulfil their duties.
Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Enhancing by Gerry Doyle
: .