BTS members one by one carry out their duties for military service with Jin leaving first and J-Hope following soon. Bang Si Hyuk thinks K-Pop is sluggish because BTS is in the army.
One by one BTS members have enlisted in military service. Starting with Jin since last December 2022, J-Hope has announced that he will be enlisting in the army.
On Friday (3/3), CNN released an interview with HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk who discussed several points. In addition to the acquisition of SM Entertainment shares which has become a hot topic, the figure who is called Bang PD also discussed BTS' conscription.
To Richard Quest as the host, Bang Si Hyuk claimed that K-Pop's growth was slowing down, aka sluggish, because BTS had started enlisting in the military. With one of the members including the military, full group activity is not possible. Even now there are other members who will also fulfill their obligations.
"How lucky we are if this is a temporary phenomenon because BTS is enlisting in the army, but I doubt that," said Bang Si Hyuk.
Then when asked if the military service was a distraction, Bang Si Hyuk explained from the perspective of an artist's career. The HYBE founder thinks that from a career perspective, no one wants to give him a long break. However, this is different from the mindset of Korean men who are loyal and happily serve the country.
"From a career standpoint, no artist is happy to have such a long hiatus against their will. I think that's different from the mindset that we loyally and happily serve the country," he said.
Furthermore, Bang Si Hyuk uncovered the fact that BTS had planned to enlist in the military since 2018. However, they wanted to make the military service a turning point in their career rather than an obstacle. In particular, Bang PD mentioned that after BTS's hard work, the military would be a moment of rest for the members.
"It's true that they need this rest time after such an intense period of hard work," said Bang Si Hyuk.
In addition, Bang Si Hyuk believes that BTS must continue to develop and grow as artists. Although today no one doubts the group's achievements and popularity. (wk/inta)
