Foreign media pay attention to the issue of military service in Korean society
▲ BTS. Provided by Big Hit Music
When Jin, the leader of BTS, decided to enlist, the foreign media also reported this news one after another. Among the fans, the reactions of cheering and swallowing the disappointment poured like a river of water.
News that BTS declared compulsory military service on the 17th quickly spread among foreign media such as Reuters and AFP. The AFP explained the track record of enlistment, saying, “Refusing to perform compulsory service is a crime in Korea and can lead to detention and social stigma.” Billboard also noted: “In Korea, military service plays a role in social equality and we believe that attempts to get out of it easily stop or ruin the careers of many celebrities.”
The Indian Hindustan Times also stated: “According to some polls, most Koreans believe that BTS should be granted a military exemption or provide an alternative. However, exemption from military service is controversial in countries where inequality and privilege are very sensitive “.
In the ARMY fan club, the atmosphere was mainly one of supporting Jin’s decision. In the online community, the purple hearts symbolizing BTS waved along with “I’ll wait anytime, so please get back to health” and “It’s sad, but let’s go back and see each other happy.” In the US BTS fan club (US BTS ARMY), “I am proud of Jin”, “The bond between BTS and ARMY is strong. I will wait no matter how long it takes,” fans showed.
There have also been many reactions to complaints from those who criticized BTS for enlisting. That day on Twitter, a tweet titled “Gado ×asonic”, which shot people saying they were going to the army, became a real-time trend.
Journalist Ryu Jae-min
