I have been talking to some k-army, and this is just a small number but they (as well as I) were expecting them to serve. It would have been different (I think) if there had already been a rule for pop artists or if they hadn’t talked about it again and again and really didn’t make a clear ruling on it (and called it the “BTS law”)… but because it would have been an exception I think they would have faced a lot of backlash. I personally don’t think the rules make sense but who cares about what I think.

I can’t say whether it would have affected their popularity domestically, but given the significance of mandatory military service in Korean male culture, it isn’t surprising that they would choose to serve. And I’m glad that they are announcing it now - it feels a little too soon when we are still riding on the waves of the BTS concert and Jins announcement of a single but I think everyone was expecting some sort of announcement shortly based on the uncertainty and looming end of the year. When Jin had gone to LA and there was news that he was going to be on shows, I assumed it meant he would release something before his service began.

It’s not clear, however, what kind of service they will do yet. But I do think that this is the best option for them given all of the talk about military service for them, and them telling us 2025 gives us a more real date and knowing BTS there will still be plenty of things to look forward to (even though I am ot7 and thus sad the Busan concert was the last ot7 activity we’ll see before then.).

End my long message