Hybe's statement urging National Assembly to make decision on BTS service exemption rustles feathers

Article: Hybe, "BTS is struggling too"... urges National Assembly to make decision regarding military service

Source: YTN via Naver

1. [+1,851, -493] They claim to be having a hard time to make decisions regarding scheduling their next plans because of their military service? They said so with their own mouths that serving is their obligation. Shouldn't they be scheduling their next plans with the obligation of service scheduled in as well?

2. [+1,157, -148] It bothers me that they're using the expression "struggling". Serving is an obligation, and I'd understand if they were granted exemptions for various circumstances... but struggling? I have sent my own son into service who is currently standing guard all night, sleeping in two hour intervals. The country is watching your every word and I suggest you be more cautious about your choice of language.

3. [+779, -107] Isn't it kind of funny that granting them exemptions is being considered at all just for being famous? I think this will cause them to be the butt of jokes internationally. I say we take this opportunity to cut back on the perks that already exist as it is.

4. [+694, -77] Why would BTS be struggling? Any South Korean man is under an obligation to serve his country. Shouldn't they be living life with the understanding that they, too, will have to serve at some point? Did they only become singers to be granted exemptions someday? No, right? So why are they "struggling" with whether they will have to serve or not? When they know they should have to serve anyway?

5. [+741, -204] And what in the load of bull is this? There are orphans, the disabled with no fingers who are being dragged into service... but just because these guys 'brought honor to our country', they should be exempted? Not at all. Enlist them immediately.

6. [+242, -11] I don't know whose idea it was to put this statement out in the media... whether it was really the agency or a media outlet... but I think they're going to lose a lot of support with this stance. "Struggling"?! Do not talk down of the efforts and sacrifices of our soldiers like this! I understand that BTS has brought honor to our country... but it's because of your fellow soldiers who enlisted, who protected our country, that you were able to come this far with your own careers. The soldiers who protect our country and our lives are the ones who are bringing true honor to our country, and we are a hundred, thousand times more in debt to them than ever. I feel this deep in my heart, especially after seeing what's going on in Ukraine.

7. [+237, -8] If a group of men with both honor and wealth are "struggling" because of the decision to serve or not... then what about all the men who were born into average lives, who are being dragged into service dead or alive? 

8. [+217, -6] Every young man's life is a precious one, whether they are popular worldwide or not. They have all quietly served and completed their duty to our country.

9. [+151, -7] How much better would it have been for BTS if they had just said, "We will serve no matter what, regardless of what happens with the changes to the military service law. Any Korean man should fulfill his obligation to serve." At this point, it just feels like they're waiting for the National Assembly to say they don't have to serve;; In the time that they're waiting, they can just enlist as a group and come back in no time... (I'm not a hater, I may not be a BTS fan but I do think positively of them, this is just my opinion)

10. [+135, -6] It's not like serving is a death sentence. Service has been cut down to 18 months. Why not just serve one by one on rotation and have the other members be promoting other stuff? Other groups have done the same thing, and I'm sure BTS fans will be all the more prouder for it. They have seven members, and it's not like the group is reliant on one member to carry them all. There really is no need to worry about hiatuses~

11. [+114, -11] After all that talk about how they were planning to serve, it seems they were counting on being granted exemptions all along ㅎ since when were exemptions granted based on wealth and honor? Shut your mouths and just go serve.

12. [+101, -6] "The BTS members are also struggling with an unclear future and have urged the National Assembly to make haste with their decision" ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ unclear future?? They've made all that much money, bought those expensive apartments and buildings, and they're "struggling" with an unclear future... It really makes me angry that they would even say that in times like this. The majority of the young men serving right now are facing even more unclear futures than BTS but are still completing their duties to our country. It's amazing... their statement is basically saying they're expecting their country to exempt them while they get away with it with minimal hate ㅋㅋㅋ

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Source: Sojang via YouTube

1. [+274] GD served too... he gave out autographs to all of the new soldiers with a smile, no matter how tired he was. Psy served, EXO served, SuJu, Big Bang, all of the second generation legends did... It makes no sense that you're granted exemptions just for ranking #1 in America. Is Asia a joke to you?

2. [+220] I don't think we should set a bad precedent. There will, most definitely, be idols in the future who will abuse this precedent for the wrong reasons. There may be someone even worse than Yoo Seung Joon. There is a reason the military made an example of Yoo Seung Joon the way they did, to prevent the creation of a bad precedent like this. Everyone is required to serve whether you're an idol or a non-celebrity. As a South Korean citizen, it is your duty. Hybe needs to submit to reality and step back. What do they expect to gain from making requests like this to the National Assembly? It ruins what is fair. If you don't want to serve, change your nationality.

3. [+166] It is a duty to our country. I thank all of the men who are fulfilling their duty for our country.

4. [+244] Athletes enter competitions representing our country, but BTS performs abroad for their own personal honor. Why should they be granted exemptions? And they sing English songs abroad, not Korean songs. They've thrown away Korea a long time ago.

5. [+319] I really love BTS and am really grateful for all of the honor they've brought our country... but being honest, this career is for their personal gain, and they may be making lots of money, but it's not like any of that goes to the rest of us. It's the BTS members themselves who are making millions. I'm grateful to them, I am, but they've already said so themselves that they're going to serve.. so just keep it clean and go serve. As a fan, I just don't want them to create a blip on their career by choosing not to ㅠㅠㅠ

6. [+246] SuJu was #1 in Thailand or Vietnam for 54 weeks with 'Sorry Sorry' and still served
- [+62] 121 weeks in Taiwan!

7. [+103] Nowadays, idols who are older or have more experience are doing just fine in the industry, even though they obviously may not be enjoying as much popularity as their peak. As long as your fame isn't a bubble and you have the skills to back yourself up, plenty of idols have enjoyed more success after their service hiatus. The fact that BTS is trying to avoid service like this makes me think that they think their fame is a bubble and they're greedy to make as much as they can. All of their seniors who didn't even have YouTUbe or SNS to rely on still took the time to serve even if they were granted exemptions. The more Hybe acts like this, the more they fail to realize that they're really only hurting themselves. 

8. [+458] If military exemptions are going to be granted based on how much fame you brought Korea, then why aren't all of the cast of 'Squid Game' or 'Parasite' being granted exemptions? It's ridiculous that exemptions are being considered for how popular you are in America. Why not consider fame in the rest of Asia like SEA? Plenty of senior groups have earned widespread popularity in Asian countries and brought much honor to Korea. But Big Bang still served, EXO is still serving, SuJu took 10 years for all of their members to finish service. Isn't it because of their service that BTS had an easier time getting to where they are now? You would think they created the K-Pop market all by themselves with the way they're acting...

9. [+72] Our country is extremely sensitive to military service issues;;; if they don't serve, they may not have a career here ever again like a certain someone

10. [+69] They're just going to get more hate if they don't serve now. Must Hybe try to keep them back...? Other actors and idols have served, does Hybe really need to take it this far?

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