[theqoo] BUSAN CITY WHICH DIDN'T EVEN ASK BTS' OPINION TO HAVE THEM SERVE 34 MONTHS FOR PROMOTING BUSAN EXPO
bypannchoaAugust 30, 2022
Context: The Military Manpower Administration (MMA) currently has an alternative military service system in place that allows talented individuals in the arts and sports fields who have contributed to the promotion of national prestige and cultural growth to serve 34 months as “arts and sports personnel” instead of undergoing traditional military service.
Park Hyung-joon: Yes. When people talk about a special military service, you think that it keeps you from doing the military service. In fact, although the military service system in Korea is strictly regulated, it is flexible. That's the countermeasures service system. Therefore, there is an alternative service system for industrial research personnel, professional personnel, and general arts and sports professionals, and they usually serve for 34 months and receive basic military training among other things.
Yes, it is. For example, right now, we are competing with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has an entire royal family. And there is a very large weapon called oil money. However, the biggest advantage we have is that our diplomatic capabilities and trade cooperation from above are excellent, but in fact, the biggest advantage we have that others cannot have is that K-culture and K-pop can gain support from below. It's a very big power. Another advantage of BTS is that in many cases, influential decision makers in each country or their families are actually BTS fans. At the end of this year, we will be holding a BTS performance in Busan for the World Expo. There are already many influential people around the world, and their families who will be coming. Also, if given the opportunity to serve the alternative service, [the influential people] can travel around the world with BTS and actively engage in activities that will attract people [to our country].
I don't think there are any better activities to boost the national prestige as much as this.
I am not saying that anyone can do alternative service, but clearly the purpose for someone who can serve for 34 months is the promotion of national prestige and national interest, and you need to play the role that can enhance the national brand and contribute to the country. [..]
Park Hyung-joon: BTS' position is to recognize the importance of the World Expo and to work hard as a public relations ambassador. Realistically, we didn't meet and talk directly with BTS, but in our opinion, even to hold a concert for the 2030 Expo at the end of this year, some of the members are already at risk because of the military service issue. If some of the members or all the members have left for the military already, we would've had to push the event to next year. And if [enlistment] really happened, group activities would actually be impossible, and it would be very difficult for BTS to properly play their role as a public relations ambassador. Taking that situation into account, we made a suggestion to help BTS play this role more properly.
From what you can see there:
1. If BTS receives the substitute for military service, they'll be spending 34 months traveling around the world to promote the Expo and "serve the country".
2. They've actually never asked BTS' position about this proposition
3. The mayor of Busan does not know when BTS will go to the military.
4. It is more important to them for BTS to host the Expo than to serve in the military.
original post: here
1. BTS are f*cking pitiful
2. Just from the fact that they met in secret with their fathers to convince BTS to participate means that they have no intentions of asking BTS' opinions about this from the start
And there was no way for Hybe who is so hungry for money to just hold a free concert like that
3. BTS isn't your private property, whether you're a political party or an entertainment company, they just spit the 34 months service whenever it's convenient for them and talk about exemption whenever it's convenient to them. It's seriously disgusting
4. Ah this freaking pisses me offㅠㅠ Leave the kids aloneㅠㅠ
5. But to me, if those male idols decide to enlist quietly by themselves, it would be the best way to enhance national prestige..
6. If I were BTS, I'll just go serve active duty for a year and half... Do you think you guys are the ones who made BTS?ㅡㅡ
7. Rather than become a dog to the regime and serve those 34 "volunteering" months, I'd rather them just go serve cleanly in the army and say bye bye to Hybe once they're out so they can finally be free
8. Just go enlist already and come back
9. Are they joking? They can just enlist for 1 year and half and comeback rather than be tied to them for 3 years? This is insane
10. Huh? Nowadays, the army only lasts 18 months, why would they serve for 34 monthsㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
