BTS K-pop Member Jin Begins Military Service

With a newly shaved head, Jin, the oldest member of the Korean pop group BTS, began his 18 months of required military service on Tuesday.

Jin turned 30 earlier this month. He begins five weeks of basic training at a camp about 45 kilometers from the border with North Korea. The training includes gun shooting, grenade throwing, and marching.

A group of 20 to 30 fans, some holding Jin's photos, and reporters gathered in the cold, snowy weather to see Jin enter the camp. A security force of about 300 police, military, and fire officials was there to provide security.

"He is so skinny," said Mandy Lee, a 30-year-old fan from Hong Kong. "I want him to eat more and stay healthy and safe."

The BTS official Twitter account later posted images showing Jin with other members, likely at the camp, with a message saying: "Our bro!! Have a safe service!! Love you." One image showed members touching¹ Jin's shaved head.

Under South Korean law, most able-bodied men are required to perform 18 to 21 months of military service. The law exempts³ athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and dancers who performed well in international competitions. But K-pop stars do not receive exemptions⁴, even if they are famous worldwide.

"Those in the pop culture sector⁵ experience [a] little bit of disadvantages and unfairness, compared with those in the pure art sector or athletes," Jung Duk-hyun, a pop culture commentator⁶, said.

Chun In-bum is a retired⁷ general who once commanded South Korea's special forces. Chun said the government must stop exemptions. He said the decreasing number of people in the military is "a very serious" problem caused by the country's low birth rate.

BTS was formed in 2013 and has a huge number of supporters around the world who call themselves the "Army". The band has performed in sold-out arenas⁹ around the world. Six younger members of BTS are to join the military in the coming years. That could mean that the group activities will likely be limited for a few years.

In August, Defense¹⁰ Minister Lee Jong-sup said BTS members who are serving in the military would likely be permitted to continue practicing. He added they could also join other non-serving BTS members in performances.

Cha Woo-jin, a K-pop commentator, said it is unclear if BTS would enjoy the same popularity after finishing their military requirements in a few years.

Words in This Story

shave -v. to cut hair off or to a level close to the skin

grenade -n. a military, explosive weapon with a delay timer, thrown by hand

exempt² -v. to provide an exception or allowance for someone to do something that is is normally not permitted

athlete -n. a person trained in a sporting activity

sector -n. an area or category of activity, such as a business sector, arts sector, and the like

arena⁸ -n. a large building or structure capable of holding thousands of people, usually used for sporting events, concerts, or other large public events

1 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

2 exempt   

adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者

参考例句：

• These goods are exempt from customs duties.这些货物免征关税。
• He is exempt from punishment about this thing.关于此事对他已免于处分。

3 exempts   

使免除[豁免]( exempt的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• This privilege, however, exempts only predecisional documents. 然而，此特权只免除那些文件在作出决定之前的披露责任。
• Function effectiveness: After then special-purpose, exempts the flushing formula. 功能效用：便后专用，免冲洗配方。

4 exemptions   

n.（义务等的）免除( exemption的名词复数 )；免（税）；（收入中的）免税额

参考例句：

• The exemptions for interpretive rules, policy statements, and procedural rules have just been discussed. 有关解释性规则、政策说明和程序规则的免责我们刚刚讨论过。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• A: The regulation outlines specific exemptions for some WPM. 答：该规定概述了某些木质包装材料的特定的例外情形。 来自互联网

5 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

6 commentator   

n.注释者，解说者；实况广播评论员

参考例句：

• He is a good commentator because he can get across the game.他能简单地解说这场比赛，是个好的解说者。
• The commentator made a big mistake during the live broadcast.在直播节目中评论员犯了个大错误。

7 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

8 arena   

n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台

参考例句：

• She entered the political arena at the age of 25. 她25岁进入政界。
• He had not an adequate arena for the exercise of his talents.他没有充分发挥其才能的场所。

9 arenas   

表演场地( arena的名词复数 )； 竞技场； 活动或斗争的场所或场面； 圆形运动场

参考例句：

• Demolition derbies are large-scale automobile rodeos that take place in big arenas. 撞车比赛指的是在很大的竞技场上举行的大型汽车驾驶技术表演。
• Are there areas of privacy in the most public of arenas? 在绝大部分公开的场合中存在需要保护隐私的领域吗？

10 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。