Recent entertainment pages of the entire South Korean news media has been covered with the BTS conscription news. As you may know already, every South Korean male citizen is required to serve in the military for 18 months. I served as an interpreter officer myself in Special Forces Command in Icheon, and was recently discharged after 3 years of service. Each member of BTS is now reaching the age limit for their military services, and now it is time for the Korean Ministry of Defense to make a decision.
Win a piano competition, exemption granted. How about No.1 in the Billboard Chart?
In the Korean constitution, there are few articles that allow musicians and artists to get exemption from mandatory military services if they win a prestigious global competition. Last June, a young South Korean boy named Lim Yoon Chan won a piano competition in Texas, and therefore he doesn't need to serve. The question is, "Is this a fair criteria?"
Given that it was almost impossible for a South Korean boyband to hit no.1 in arguably 'prestigious' music chart, Billboard, when Korean lawmakers were passing related laws, there are no articles that talk about a possible exemption from military service when a person or group makes it into the Billboard chart.
In my opinion, all due respect to all the winners in the competition, getting in top 10 of the Hot 100 in Billboard is way more prestigious and honorable than winning a worldwide piano competition. Therefore it has now been a very controversial issue whether members of BTS should serve or not.
Public survey on BTS's military service
Korean Defense minister, Lee Jong Seop told the press that he ordered for an immediate survey on this very issue. The survey will be looking into various factors including BTS's economic effects and the overall consensus of the public. (Imagine BTS halting global tour, they literally raise billions)
When I look into the overall reaction of the public, it seems quite negative of the fact that the Ministry of Defense is considering exempting BTS from serving in the military. The comment sections in the articles related to BTS military exemption is filled with negative sentiment. It is quite understandable for such a reaction because every man has to waste their precious 1.5 years of life for military service. Military related issues are one of the most sensitive political issues in South Korea. Every presidential candidate comes up with some military policies to ask for peoples' votes.
Therefore, it is not an easy decision that the Ministry of Defense can unilaterally make.
What should be done, IMO
I think BTS should get an exemption. If you go into the official website of the Military Manpower Administration, they list all 42 contests that are recognized as the competition where winners could get benefits for their military service if they win.
편입인정대회 - 예술체육요원 - 복무제도 - 병역이행안내 - 병무청
병역이행안내INFORMATION --> --> 편입인정대회 예술·체육요원 편입인정대회 국제음악경연대회 ※ 개최주기는 대회 운영 상황에 따라 변동될 수 있음 국제무용경연대회 ※ 주니어, 시니어 구분이
www.mma.go.kr
The true nature of the reason why such law exists is that South Korea is looking to acknowledge individuals who enhanced the national prestige and to exempt them from going to the military so that they could polish their talent and contribute in national prestige and economic benefits instead of contributing in the military.
If that is the case, BTS should well be acknowledged because in my understanding the Billboard chart is as prestigious as those 42 differente contests and competitions listed in the Military Manpower Administration website.
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