Poll of the Day > I heard BTS has to do military service...

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63282589.amp

Heres one article. You can Google others

They have always had to.

Yup.
South Korea's got extremely sexist laws that force all men to serve in the military. They had policies to at least give them hiring preferences to make up for being taken out of the workforce for 2 years, but feminists complained that was somehow unfair and those policies were ended.
Which in turn pissed off everyone else and led to the current leader winning his election last year.

In theory they could petition that they're a cultural icon in korea enough that they don't have to do military service. It's primarily used for sports stars and people who are defined by their physical prowess or beauty.
It's uncommon, but, they're also the biggest boyband around, so they do have that sawy.

I'm honestly surprised they didn't do that.

EDIT: I guess they could just be doing military PR work.

shadowsword87 posted...

In theory they could petition that they're a cultural icon in korea enough that they don't have to do military service. It's primarily used for sports stars and people who are defined by their physical prowess or beauty.
It's uncommon, but, they're also the biggest boyband around, so they do have that sawy.

I'm honestly surprised they didn't do that.

EDIT: I guess they could just be doing military PR work.

They couldn't petition that. That's up to the government to decide. The Gov has been debating their enlistment for years because of how much BTS contributed to the SK economy. Recently, they've still been debating about how they need to enlist but maybe should still be able to work so the profits go the government. Basically indentured slavery lmao. It's wild. But they are just going to enlist the way they're required to and move on with life.

Jen0125 posted...

They couldn't petition that. That's up to the government to decide. The Gov has been debating their enlistment for years because of how much BTS contributed to the SK economy. Recently, they've still been debating about how they need to enlist but maybe should still be able to work so the profits go the government. Basically indentured slavery lmao. It's wild. But they are just going to enlist the way they're required to and move on with life.

Petition is the wrong word, it's too formal. I'm sure they can talk to some government officials to help sway the needle towards them. Their people talking to government people.

And yeah, they can't make money privately while being in the government.

shadowsword87 posted...

Petition is the wrong word, it's too formal. I'm sure they can talk to some government officials to help sway the needle towards them. Their people talking to government people.

And yeah, they can't make money privately while being in the government.

They have been debating the service of BTS for years without BTS asking the Gov to lol. They always have said they'll do their conscription dutifully.

shadowsword87 posted...

EDIT: I guess they could just be doing military PR work.

honestly theyd probably be a great asset for that. Put em in Public Affairs or whatever the SK equivalent is.

shadowsword87 posted...

And yeah, they can't make money privately while being in the government.

is that a South Korean thing? I knew several guys who had side jobs when I was in the army.

Cacciato posted...

is that a South Korean thing? I knew several guys who had side jobs when I was in the army.

Yes.

That sucks. Id be surprised if it still wasnt voluntary to some degree. Even the American military offers a change of priority discharge if you come into a lot of money, and Im sure its nowhere close to what theyre worth.

It's a bit different when they're actively at war with north korea, and they're not sure if they will be invaded or not.

In South Korea you can't have any alternative income streams in the military. Any excess money belongs to the government while you're under contract.

Damn. So seven dudes in a non-combat role is more important than a multi-billion dollar revenue stream. At least we know the US isnt the only government making bizarre financial decisions.

Cacciato posted...

Damn. So seven dudes in a non-combat role is more important than a multi-billion dollar revenue stream. At least we know the US isnt the only government making bizarre financial decisions.

The government was trying to set it up so they'd be working while enlisted and the Gov could siphen billions more Won from them. Imaging constantly working and performing like a monkey and never getting a dime for 18 months.

Jen0125 posted...

But they are just going to enlist the way they're required to and move on with life.

Conscientious objection is a thing.

Edit: and double checking, it has been recognized in South Korea since 2018.

Nichtcrawler-X posted...

Conscientious objection is a thing.

Not in South Korea. If you don't serve you lose your citizenship.

South Korea has been trying to set-up an alternative civil replacement duty. BTS could be the posterboys for that if everyone involved were to try.

hey Jen did you watch the livestream of their concert this past weekend

JigsawTDCII posted...

hey Jen did you watch the livestream of their concert this past weekend

No I didn't. I haven't really had spare money to spend $70 on a ticket for a streaming concert this time around. I have a lot to do around my house and it all costs $$$

Jen0125 posted...

No I didn't. I haven't really had spare money to spend $70 on a ticket for a streaming concert this time around. I have a lot to do around my house and it all costs $$$

what? It was free

JigsawTDCII posted...

what? It was free

Free streaming? I haven't been keeping up closely with their stuff as much. If it was free then I missed it.

I also have a serious job now so I can't take off for BTS concerts that take place at 3am local time

Jen0125 posted...

Free streaming? I haven't been keeping up closely with their stuff as much. If it was free then I missed it.

I also have a serious job now so I can't take off for BTS concerts that take place at 3am local time

yeah it was free streaming! But the WeVerse platform is trash so it kept crashing and we switched over to Twitch, which had the same stream (unofficially though I guess) and was higher quality

I dont really know much about BTS but the ladies wanted to watch it and Im a gentleman

JigsawTDCII posted...

yeah it was free streaming! But the WeVerse platform is trash so it kept crashing and we switched over to Twitch, which had the same stream (unofficially though I guess) and was higher quality

I dont really know much about BTS but the ladies wanted to watch it and Im a gentleman

Aw very nice. I figured if I want to watch it there are streams around. I've seen some clips and they looked like they were doing a great job.