Home BTS BTS Military Duty Debate Sparks Again After Gamers Are Granted Exemption

BTS Military Duty Debate Sparks Again After Gamers Are Granted Exemption

BTS Military Duty Debate Sparks Again After Gamers Are Granted Exemption

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“I’m so f*cking done!”

South Korea’s announcement that eSports athletes can earn a army exemption by profitable gold on the Asian Games has rekindled an outdated controversy — one which includes the worldwide Ok-Pop titan, BTS.

| BIGHIT MUSIC

In South Korea, any male who clinches a gold medal on the Asian Games is exempted from the same old 18-month necessary army service. With eSports now being included as a medal occasion, top-tier gamers — like workforce captain Lee Sang Hyeok (also called “Faker“) —have much at stake. Though these exemptions have traditionally been reserved for elite athletes and classical musicians, reflecting their role in promoting national prestige, they are also a point of contention.

| AFP

To provide some context, Son Heung Min, a renowned footballer and Tottenham Hotspur striker, avoided the full military stint after the national football team secured a gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games.

| @SpursOfficial/Twitter

Yet, BTS, despite their colossal contribution to the country’s economy and K-Pop’s immense global popularity, were not considered for an exemption.

| @bts_bighit/Twitter

Members like Jin, J-Hope, and Suga have either enrolled or are soon to be in the military.

| Weverse

The debate was further stoked when, in a 2022 Gallup survey, around 33% of South Koreans expressed opposition to potential military exemptions for K-Pop artists, despite the intention to ensure uninterrupted progress for groups like BTS.

With eSports’ inaugural appearance at the Asian Games and given South Korea’s dominance in this field, discussions around these exemptions have surged once more. Although the national team’s coach, Kim Jeong Gyun, downplayed the debate emphasizing the players’ “sense of duty,” it stays an plain concern for younger eSports athletes.

Professor Choi Eun Kyoung from Hanshin University identified that these exemptions are a big motivation issue for eSports gamers.

| AFP

However, reactions, particularly from BTS followers, have been blended.

| Twitter

While some lamented the perceived injustice in the direction of BTS, others appreciated the eSports gamers’ dedication and emphasised that eSports’ recognition as a sport predates BTS’s world fame.

Some followers even alleged that if BTS have been granted an exemption, they may not even settle for it to keep away from any potential “exploitation” by the federal government.

The debate would possibly simmer down after the Asian Games, however the questions it raises about nationwide service, recognition, and the worth of contemporary cultural contributions will stay pivotal for years to come back.

BTS



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Content Source: www.koreaboo.com

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