K-pop boy band BTS might still be able to perform overseas while serving in the military, South Korea's defence minister said on Monday, as the country debates shortening mandatory military service for K-pop stars to three weeks from about two years. The issue is coming sharply into focus with the oldest member of the band, Jin, turning 30 next year.&nbsp;

Under a 2019 revision of the law, globally recognised K-pop stars were allowed to put off their service until 30. Military service is hugely controversial in South Korea, where all able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must fulfil their duties as part of efforts to defend against nuclear-armed North Korea.

Over the years, some categories have won exemptions - either allowed to put off service or to do shorter service - including Olympics and Asian Games medal winners and classical musicians and dancers who win top prizes at certain competitions.

Parliament is now debating a bill that would shorten military service for K-pop stars. Speaking at the parliamentary session, Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup said that by allowing BTS to continue performing, the military could serve national interests without affecting the already shrinking pool of personnel resources due to low birth rates.

BTS'&nbsp;management, Big Hit, did not respond to a request for comment.

"Even if they join the military, there would be a way to give them a chance to practise and perform together if there are scheduled concerts abroad," Lee said.

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"As many people highly value (artists serving) in the military, that may help boost their popularity even more."

The seven-member band announced a break in June from group musical activities to pursue solo projects, pleading exhaustion. In April, a Big Hit official said some members were having a "hard time" because of uncertainties over the parliament debate, which called for a decision.

Since their 2013 debut, BTS became a worldwide sensation with their upbeat hits and social campaigns aimed at empowering youth.

BTS became the first Asian band to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards last year, and they met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in May to discuss hate crimes targeting Asians.

A South Korean think tank estimated in 2018 that BTS would bring an economic benefit totalling 56 trillion won ($43 billion) between 2014 and 2023.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bts-tease-fans-with-glimpses-of-bad-decisions-featuring-snoop-dogg-benny-blanco-502555">BTS tease fans with glimpses of 'Bad Decisions' featuring Snoop Dogg, Benny Blanco</a>

K-pop boy band BTS might still be able to perform overseas while serving in the military, South Korea's defence minister said on Monday, as the country debates shortening mandatory military service for K-pop stars to three weeks from about two years.

K-pop boy band BTS might still be able to perform overseas while serving in the military, South Korea's defence minister said on Monday, as the country debates shortening mandatory military service for K-pop stars to three weeks from about two years. The issue is coming sharply into focus with the oldest member of the band, Jin, turning 30 next year. Under a 2019 revision of the law, globally recognised K-pop stars were allowed to put off their service until 30. Military service is hugely controversial in South Korea, where all able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must fulfil their duties as part of efforts to defend against nuclear-armed North Korea. Over the years, some categories have won exemptions - either allowed to put off service or to do shorter service - including Olympics and Asian Games medal winners and classical musicians and dancers who win top prizes at certain competitions. Parliament is now debating a bill that would shorten military service for K-pop stars. Speaking at the parliamentary session, Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup said that by allowing BTS to continue performing, the military could serve national interests without affecting the already shrinking pool of personnel resources due to low birth rates. BTS' management, Big Hit, did not respond to a request for comment. "Even if they join the military, there would be a way to give them a chance to practise and perform together if there are scheduled concerts abroad," Lee said. Also Read: Sting warns during Warsaw concert of threats to democracy "As many people highly value (artists serving) in the military, that may help boost their popularity even more." The seven-member band announced a break in June from group musical activities to pursue solo projects, pleading exhaustion. In April, a Big Hit official said some members were having a "hard time" because of uncertainties over the parliament debate, which called for a decision. Since their 2013 debut, BTS became a worldwide sensation with their upbeat hits and social campaigns aimed at empowering youth. BTS became the first Asian band to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards last year, and they met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in May to discuss hate crimes targeting Asians. A South Korean think tank estimated in 2018 that BTS would bring an economic benefit totalling 56 trillion won ($43 billion) between 2014 and 2023. Also Read: BTS tease fans with glimpses of 'Bad Decisions' featuring Snoop Dogg, Benny Blanco

K-pop's BTS may still be able to perform while doing military service - South Korea's defence minister

It's&nbsp;an end of an era as&nbsp;K-pop's most popular boy band BTS announced it is going on an 'indefinite hiatus' to pursue individual careers. The band of seven members have ruled the charts all over the world for the last few years. The announcement was made on Tuesday and the band promised the ARMY- its fan base- that it would 'return someday'. As of now, they want&nbsp;to pursue career individually. They were quick to add that they were not disbanding but just taking a break.&nbsp; 
 
The seven members of the group are credited with generating billions of dollars for the South Korean economy and are considered youth icons all over the world who have represented their nation in the UN and other international platforms.&nbsp; 
 
BTS, who have been together for nine years, has made it clear that they are not disbanding but just taking a break.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/k-pop-band-bts-drops-anthology-album-proof-and-army-is-beyond-excited-486847" hreflang="en">K-pop band BTS drops anthology album 'Proof' and ARMY is beyond excited!</a> 
 
The announcement was made during their "FESTA" dinner which is a part of an annual celebration that marks their anniversary as a group. 
 
RM, the leader of the band, said that after the last few singles he, "didn't know what kind of group we were anymore," adding that the group was "exhausted."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/k-pop-band-bts-and-its-members-whopping-net-worth-will-make-your-jaws-drop-453868">K pop band BTS and its members' whopping net worth will make your jaws drop</a>

"I've always thought that BTS was different from other groups," he said. "But the problem with K-pop and the whole idol system is that they don't give you time to mature," he added in an hour-long Youtube live session. 
 
"You have to keep producing music and keep doing something... I've changed as a human over the past 10 years, so I needed to think and have some alone time," RM added.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/should-bts-serve-in-south-korean-military-whats-the-raging-debate-is-all-about-474364" hreflang="en">Should BTS serve in South Korean military? What's the raging debate all about?</a></h2>

Fellow band made Jimin said, "We can't help but think of our fans no matter what, we want to be the kind of artists that are remembered by our fans. I think now we're starting to think about what kind of artists we each want to be remembered by our fans." 
 
The members got emotional towards the end of the video and expressed their gratitude to the loyal fan base, popularly known as the 'ARMY'.

The band was in the US just last week to meet President Joe Biden and discussed climate change in great length.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/potus-joe-biden-plays-butter-to-make-bts-feel-at-home-during-their-white-house-visit-485242" hreflang="en">POTUS Joe Biden plays 'Butter' to make BTS 'feel at home' during their White House visit</a>

It's an end of an era as K-pop's most popular boy band BTS announced it is going on an 'indefinite hiatus' to pursue individual careers. The band of seven members have ruled the charts all over the world for the last few years.

It's an end of an era as K-pop's most popular boy band BTS announced it is going on an 'indefinite hiatus' to pursue individual careers. The band of seven members have ruled the charts all over the world for the last few years. The announcement was made on Tuesday and the band promised the ARMY- its fan base- that it would 'return someday'. As of now, they want to pursue career individually. They were quick to add that they were not disbanding but just taking a break. The seven members of the group are credited with generating billions of dollars for the South Korean economy and are considered youth icons all over the world who have represented their nation in the UN and other international platforms. BTS, who have been together for nine years, has made it clear that they are not disbanding but just taking a break. K-pop band BTS drops anthology album 'Proof' and ARMY is beyond excited! The announcement was made during their "FESTA" dinner which is a part of an annual celebration that marks their anniversary as a group. RM, the leader of the band, said that after the last few singles he, "didn't know what kind of group we were anymore," adding that the group was "exhausted." K pop band BTS and its members' whopping net worth will make your jaws drop "I've always thought that BTS was different from other groups," he said. "But the problem with K-pop and the whole idol system is that they don't give you time to mature," he added in an hour-long Youtube live session. "You have to keep producing music and keep doing something... I've changed as a human over the past 10 years, so I needed to think and have some alone time," RM added. Should BTS serve in South Korean military? What's the raging debate all about? Fellow band made Jimin said, "We can't help but think of our fans no matter what, we want to be the kind of artists that are remembered by our fans. I think now we're starting to think about what kind of artists we each want to be remembered by our fans." The members got emotional towards the end of the video and expressed their gratitude to the loyal fan base, popularly known as the 'ARMY'. The band was in the US just last week to meet President Joe Biden and discussed climate change in great length. POTUS Joe Biden plays 'Butter' to make BTS 'feel at home' during their White House visit

BTS going on 'indefinite hiatus' to pursue individual careers, thank ARMY in an emotional video

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K-pop's BTS may still be able to perform while doing military service - South Korea's defence minister

BTS going on 'indefinite hiatus' to pursue individual careers, thank ARMY in an emotional video