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K-pop stars BTS to do military service

Military Service - Level 0

The seven members of the boy band BTS will soon be in the army. They will take a break from music to do two years of military service. All healthy men in Korea aged between 18 and 28 must do this. South Korea is technically still at war with North Korea. A spokesperson said BTS wanted to do their duty.

Many Koreans do not want BTS to do military service. Korea's government said BTS could do it when they are 30 years old. BTS have brought a lot of attention to Korea. They also got praise for talking about mental health issues. The government said BTS could practice and perform together in the army.

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Military Service - Level 1

The seven members of the South Korean boy band BTS will soon be in the army. They are taking a break from music to do two years of military service. All able-bodied men in Korea aged between 18 and 28 must serve about two years. South Korea is technically still at war with North Korea. The two nations didn't sign a peace treaty after the Korean War ended in 1953. A spokesperson said BTS wanted to do their duty, and "are honoured to serve".

Many Koreans do not want BTS to do military service. They think the band is a national treasure. Korea's government said BTS could delay their military service until they are 30 years old. BTS have brought a lot of global attention to Korea. They also received praise for speaking about mental health issues. The government said: "There could be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together."

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Military Service - Level 2

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The world's most popular boy band will soon be in the army. The South Korean pop group BTS are taking a break from music to do two years of military service. South Korea is one of the few countries to require men to do this. All able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must serve about two years. This is because technically, South Korea is still at war with North Korea. The two nations didn't sign a peace treaty after the Korean War ended in 1953. A BTS spokesperson said the seven band members wanted to do their duty, and "are honoured to serve".

Many people in Korea do not want BTS to do military service. Many Koreans think the band is a national treasure. In 2020, Korea's government said BTS could delay their military service until they are 30 years old. The oldest member is currently 29. BTS have brought a lot of global attention to Korea. They have also received praise for speaking about mental health issues. South Korea's defence minister said it could be possible for BTS to get together in the army. He said: "There could be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Military Service - Level 3

Members of one of the world's most popular pop bands will soon be in the army. The South Korean boy band BTS will soon be taking a break from music. The seven band members will be joining the military to do two years of national service. South Korea is one of the few countries in the world to require men to do military service. All able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must serve about two years in the military. This is because technically, South Korea is still at war with North Korea. The two nations never signed a peace treaty after the Korean War ended in 1953. The agency that looks after BTS said the band members want to do their duty. It said: "It's the perfect time and the members of BTS are honoured to serve."

There was a lot of talk in Korea about BTS not doing military service. Many people feel that the band are too important to be taking a break to join the army. Many Koreans view them as national treasures. In 2020, Korea's government said the band could delay their military service until the age of 30. The oldest member, Jin, is currently 29 years old. BTS have brought a lot of worldwide attention to their country. They have also received a lot of praise for speaking out about mental health issues. South Korea's defence minister said it could be possible for the band to perform together while in the army. He said: "There could be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together."

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