Just like in many other countries, all able-bo∂ιєd male citizens in South кσяєα are required to complete mandatory military service. However, there is a special system known as the “Alternative or Exemption Program for Outstanding Artists and Athletes.”
Under this policy, individuals who achieve exceptional accomplishments in the fields of arts or sports may be exempted from active-duty service and instead complete an alternative form of service — usually consisting of a few weeks of basic training followed by around two years of work in their area of expertise.
In the case of music and the arts, artists who win first place in government-recognized “international” competitions in music, fine arts, dance, or theater can be eligible for military exemption. However, the unequal criteria for which competitions are included in the exemption list have become increasingly controversial — especially after BTS complete their mandatory service.
Before the seven K-pop megastars enlisted, the question of whether BTS should be exempted sparked heated debate in both the government and the public for years.
There were two sides: one argued that BTS deserved exemption due to their enormous contributions and unparalleled global impact, as well as their unprecedented international awards and achievements. The other side maintained that no exceptions should be made, since pop music does not fall under the “clαѕѕical arts” category recognized by law, and the awards BTS had won were not included in the official exemption list.
Despite the controversy, BTS voluntarily enlisted and suspended group activities for two years. The void they left, however, was so significant that the South кσяєαn government has seemingly realized it is time to reform the exemption system to avoid repeating the same mistake.
On the 20th, during a National Assembly hearing with the Military Manpower Administration (MMA), Rep. Sung Il-jong, chairman of the National Defense Committee and a member of the People Power Party, pointed out that the current exemption or alternative service system for artists heavily favors domestic competitions.
At present, 35 competitions are officially recognized as eligible for the artist exemption program, 11 of which are held in South кσяєα. Notably, five of these are domestic art competitions labeled as “international,” yet they grant the same exemption privileges as winners of world-renowned contests such as the Chopin International Piano Competition — one of the three most prestigious piano competitions in the world.
In contrast, globally recognized awards such as the Nobel Prize or the Grammy Awards are not covered by the exemption system, as they are not legally recognized under current regulations. Therefore, Rep. Sung argued that the entire system requires fundamental reform.
During the hearing, Rep. Sung questioned Hong So-young, the Commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration: “Among the competitions eligible for exemption, five are actually domestic but labeled ‘international.’ If 91% of the beneficiaries come from these so-called ‘international’ events, can this system really be considered fair and balanced?”
Commissioner Hong responded, “I, too, have doubts about its fairness.”
Rep. Sung further emphasized: “Individuals like BTS, who generated 56 trillion won in economic value for our country, are not granted exemption, while others who contribute little to the nation enjoy special privileges — how could citizens possibly view that as fair?”
Commissioner Hong did not provide a concrete answer, only giving a general response: “Because the criteria for evaluating and certifying art and cultural competitions fall outside our jurisdiction, we must work together with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. We will actively cooperate to review and adjust the current standards.”
However, she added: “We will improve the military service system to reflect changes in the security environment and recent social demands, and build a system where the rights and duties of those serving are balanced. We will do our utmost to make military service soмєтнing to take pride in — soмєтнing that makes our citizens feel fulfilled.”
After this news was reported by major кσяєαn media outlets, many K-netizens argued that the government had learned a hard lesson — politically, economically, and socially — from sending BTS to the military for two years.
Global attention toward South кσяєα — and especially K-pop — has noticeably declined during BTS’s absence. Industry experts have pointed out that the overall mood of the entertainment sector became lackluster due to the lack of a leading figure. Google data also shows that global interest in K-pop has declined since peaking in 2022, coinciding with BTS’s enlistment period.
The number of international nominations and awards for K-pop has also dropped significantly. Notably, since BTS began military service, no K-pop act has received a Grammy nomination, and major global award wins have been few and far between. Clearly, no group has reached BTS’s level of influence in recent years.
Economically, the decline in international tourism is evident. When BTS was active — especially during concerts — tourism boomed, driving growth in airlines, hospitality, and service industries. Conversely, during BTS’s hiatus, physical album sales in K-pop fell sharply, with few releases surpαѕѕing one million copies sold. Analysts estimate that the South кσяєαn economy ℓσѕт around USD 3.9 billion annually due to BTS’s group hiatus.
According to Reuters, in 2023, major entertainment companies collectively ℓσѕт about 8.6 trillion won (≈ USD 6.2 billion) in market value from their peak, partly due to BTS suspending group activities.
And these are only the measurable consequences — there are countless other intangible losses resulting from BTS’s two-year absence. Clearly, the group’s contribution — around 0.3% of South кσяєα’s total GDP when active — was no small matter.
Although the government’s realization came late — as BTS have already completed their service without any special treatment — this development underscores the group’s immense influence, extending far beyond music into the realms of politics and society.
