Another member, J-Hope, of the world’s biggest boy band is leaving music to join the South Korean military, but not before releasing a new solo single.
BTS singer and rapper J-Hope has begun the process of enlisting for required military service, according to his label, making him the second member of the K-pop phenomenon to do so.
“We would like to inform our fans that j-hope has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement,” Big Hit Music said in the statement, adding it asked fans for their “continued love and support for j-hope until he completes his military service and safely returns.”
Almost all able-bodied men in South Korea are obligated to serve in the army for 18 months by the age of 28 – but the country’s government enacted a bill in 2020 allowing pop stars to postpone their service until the age of 30.
The announcement for J-Hope, 29, comes just months after the oldest BTS member, 30-year-old vocalist Jin, launched his military service in December.
Jin’s entrance at the army base was welcomed with tremendous hoopla, as reporters and admirers gathered outside despite his previous requests that they stay away.
Big Hit has stated that all seven members of BTS will complete their necessary military service.
The label announced on Monday that J-Hope would release a new solo track
Separately, the label announced on Monday that J-Hope would release a new solo track named “in the street” on March 3.
Supporters have long been concerned that military service might jeopardize the band’s popularity.
Since their debut in 2013, BTS have become global superstars, with No. 1 hits in over 100 countries, over 48 million Twitter followers, and their first Grammy nomination in 2020.
Cryptocurrencies have also become a key element of the South Korean economy, accounting for 0.3% of the country’s GDP with $4.9 billion in revenue, according to 2019 research.
According to Big Hit Music, BTS declared in 2022 that they will take a sabbatical to pursue solo projects, but they are likely to rejoin as a group around 2025.