BTS goes to military service: Will fans wait for them until 2025? This says Latin America

The members of the K-Pop group bts They will perform compulsory military service. While it is not a surprise that Koreans have to do it, what has amazed Bangtan fans is that everyone band -created in South Korea- will get ready to fulfill it. Thus, according to the statement released by his BigHit Music label, the boyband would resume its activities only in 2025. That means more than two years without new music for fans.

Last Monday, the world woke up with the news that Bangtan would take some time -within his hiatus- to comply with the Compulsory Military Service, which is dictated by law for all men with physical capacity. Thus, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook should progressively enlist.

“Group member Jin will start the process as soon as he wraps up his schedule for his solo release at the end of October. It will then follow the Korean government’s enlistment procedure (…) Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans.”, referred to his BigHit Music label in a statement released on his social networks. Likewise, the same record company specified that it expects the return of BTS around the year 2025.

In that sense, Trade contacted Bangtan fans from Ecuador, Argentina and Colombia to find out how they reacted to the news (we also contacted a BTS Peru representative but received no response). For ARMY, the early announcement has also been a great surprise, because they hoped to continue enjoying their singles, which have broken several records outside of South Korea. And, although it is not a big surprise, they all share the same feeling: sadness.

“Just thinking that we are not going to see them for a while at 7 together, for me personally, it overwhelms me because it is nice to see when they upload group photos, when they are together. But we know that it is a big step”, declared Anabel Bonilla, a member of BTS Ecuador. “It was practically a surprise, since we did not expect an answer this year”added his partner María Isabel Tene.

Something similar happened in Colombia. “We are very discouraged, very devastated. my girls (of BTS Colombia) They did not take the news well. They ended up crying, declared Yorla Venegas, a member of the staff. However, she specified that the news did not take her by surprise because some actions of the group shed light on what was going to happen. “The free concert they offered was like the bell. The news ended the uncertainty we felt. I was preparing myself for that, but it is not easy; however, I take encouragement and strength from them”he pointed out.

For their part, the members of Bangtan Army Argentina also clarified that they were aware that this decision of the idols to perform military service in South Korea would happen; But they did not expect it to happen so soon. “One is never prepared for that kind of news, but I think we already know that it is something that they want to do, they want to fulfill their country. So good, we have no choice but to support them “said Pauli Gonzalez.

“They are the safe place for ARMY. When I found out about my military service, I didn’t expect it, but at the same time I did (I knew it could happen). It did make me a little sad because we complement each other, we have a bit of them, they have a bit of us, so it has a lot of meaning”, were the words of Agustina Mina.

What will they do now?

If there is another feeling that ARMY shares for the BTS boys, it is pride. They are happy to see them enjoying their passion for music and they are sure that they will soon see the reunion of their favorite group.

“I feel proud, I feel proud of each one of them for having that love for their homeland, for their nation. It is painful news as a fan, but at the same time I can feel proud of them, since I know that they will come out of it and they will succeed as they always have.said Ecuadorian María Isabel Tene.

The fans of the K-Pop band in Latin America are aware that Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook are happy to be able to meet their country South Korea and therefore they assure that they will calmly await the bts comeback Probably with more than one surprise.

“It’s a mixture of emotions that cross my mind right now. ARMY will be with them forever because we are a family. I will be there for them when they need us, we will be there for each other. We are going to continue working, make them better known to make their message that will be eternal. We still have a lot of projects”clarifies Karina Arcos from Ecuador.

Likewise, the fans of Latin America, during the time that they will not have news from BTS, will continue listening to their singles. “In all this time that they will be in military service we have to continue listening to them, enjoying them, continue sharing their music; as well as their individual works, their projects, new images, new content that is what they are supposedly recording”, pointed out Agustina Mina from Argentina.

“We know that they want to fulfill their duty and we have no choice but to support them. That’s what we’re here for and that’s how it will be forever. I think they have that thing of being together until the end of time. For me it was time for them to flow solo, each one has a different voice. We look forward to everything that comes and I want to stay in this great family for life”pointed out his compatriot Pauli Gonzáles.

These types of activities are intended, as some of those interviewed by this newspaper referred to, to continue spreading the message of love that the K-Pop band has. “ARMY must not forget that their latest album is the promise that there is much more to come in the years to come. After completing this stage, the 7 will come together again to continue their careers for many more years with me.”, emphasized the Ecuadorian Karina Catota.

Finally, some fanclubs like the one in Colombia already have activities scheduled for the rest of the year, and even some for 2023, so they have decided to continue with their projects because, as they confess, now it’s their turn to ‘row the boat’ and move forward.

“We are going to continue doing projects. Now it’s up to us to sustain the legacy they have left us. Yes, I have noticed that many ARMYs are very emotionally dependent on them, but now we really have to see what we are made of, we have to support all of their work. It’s up to ARMY that BTS remains number one. We are going to continue celebrating anniversaries and their birthdays because they will be opportunities to show them that we are still waiting for them here. Likewise, we are here to always support you regardless of your decisions. We are going to show them the infinite affection that we have for them and we will always be at the foot of the canyon”Yorla Venegas concluded.

one last chance

The fans of Argentina will have the opportunity to say goodbye to one of the members of Bangtan in the city of Buenos Aires. The British group Coldplay will offer ten concerts in Argentina and, during the morning of last Thursday, they announced that they will have a very special guest: Jin from BTS.

This news has surprised the Argentine fans themselves, who, from the same day, are organizing to surprise their idol at the concert that will take place next Friday, October 28 at the River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires. And that, additionally, will be broadcast in theaters around the world. “It is the first time that any of the boys comes to Argentina. Everything is crazy right now. But we are going to put something together, we are waiting”, assured Pauli González.

Latin America will patiently wait for the reunion of BTS that is scheduled for 2025, because the affection of ARMY -as the fans themselves affirm- is stronger. “I will always come back, darling. Don’t worry (…) You are my best friend for the rest of my life”, is the message of the band in “For Youth” where they make it clear that, despite everything, the fandom and BTS will remain united.