South Korea’s BTS member j-hope begins course of to hitch navy By Reuters

By Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) -A second member of Korea’s BTS – the primary Ok-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 stated final yr they’d be a 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, stated 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 stated. “We ask you on your continued love and assist for j-hope till he completes his navy service and safely returns.”

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 Ok-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 Recreation medallists and a few classical musicians, however their efforts made little progress.

South Korea’s defence minister has stated BTS members might carry out abroad whereas serving. Many artists have been designated as such “leisure troopers”.

In a separate assertion on Monday, BigHit stated 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 tasks since saying a break from group musical actions in June.

Native media have stated that one other member, Suga, was judged unfit for energetic responsibility and would apply for group service as a substitute. BigHit declined to verify the report, citing privateness issues, however stated all members would fulfil their duties.