Should BTS be exempt from mandatory military service because of their economic clout?

The seven-piece are worth a staggering $4.65 billion to South Korea's economy: will time away from fans affect that?

After announcing that members of BTS would be pursing higher degrees at university, critics have accused them of purposely delaying mandatory military service. AFP

They are undeniably the biggest boy band in the world right now, but soon, BTS will have to break up (well, sort of).

Why? Because compulsory military enlistment in South Korea has to happen by the time a citizen is 28. The seven BTS members range in age from 22 to 27, and so all have to enlist in the next few years.

This means each of them will be out of action for at least 18 months, which means years of interruption to the powerhouse. Would it be better for them to stagger? Or all enlist at once?

It looks like the company behind BTS, Big Hit Entertainment, are trying to delay the inevitable. It announced on Tuesday that band members Jimin and V would start studying for their MBA through the Hanyang Cyber University in September. Other members Jin, RM, Suga and J-Hope are also currently pursing higher degrees with the same university.

However, critics have now come out and accused the seven-member band of using the graduate programme to delay mandatory military service.

Should BTS get an exemption from military service?

There's no arguing that BTS have already done a lot for their country, with a report in 2019 suggesting the seven-piece were worth a staggering $4.65 billion (Dh17bn) to South Korea's economy.

After all, they've helped break down doors for K-pop in the West, they've broken records, topped international charts and have united fans around the world, who go by the moniker the Army.

Their army is truly global. But is that enough?

Someday, when duty calls, we'll be ready to respond and do our best

Serving in the military is considered a societal duty and generally any time the idea of exemptions is brought up, it stirs much debate in the country.

"As a Korean, it's natural," said Jin in an interview with CBS about mandatory military service. "And, someday, when duty calls, we'll be ready to respond and do our best."

In the past five years, BTS have become arguably the biggest K-pop group of all time.

But perhaps the real test of their legacy will be seeing how they'll get through enlistment, which will threaten their global momentum. It may seem tricky considering the group are at the height of their careers, but it's already evident that BTS fans are incredibly loyal.

How mandatory military service works

In South Korea, all healthy, able-bodied male citizens between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to serve.

There are exemptions given, but currently only to those with health conditions that would affect their ability to serve, as well as to gold-medal-winning athletes, classical musicians, dancers and artists.

Actors and K-pop stars are not included.

Deferment is possible, but only up until the age of 28. This means Jin and Suga, both 27, will soon have to enlist. While serving, access to phones and the internet is limited, meaning fans aren't likely to hear much from their favourite idols for a while.

Groups might worry about their star power dropping when a member is gone for so long, but trying to dodge the compulsory service is terribly damaging to a person's brand, too.

Because, if everyone else has to do it, why not them?

What does this mean for BTS?

In November 2019, South Korea's Ministry of National Defence announced that it would not be issuing a change to its exemption rules for the K-pop stars, despite an outcry from fans.

"In the case of BTS, I personally wish I could allow exemptions for them under certain standards, but the Military Manpower Administration and the Ministry of National Defence [in charge of conscription] are inclined to downsize the overall scope [of exemption]," Culture Minister Park Yang-woo said in Paris, while attending the Unesco Forum of Ministers of Culture.

Scroll through the gallery to see BTS through the years:

BTS through the years: the K-pop band at the Korean Culture Convention (K-Con), held at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on August 10, 2014. AFP

Members of BTS arrive on the red carpet for K-Con 2014. AFP

BTS on the red carpet for the Asia Artist Awards in Seoul on November 16, 2016. AFP

Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and JungKook of BTS at Music Choice in New York City on March 22, 2017. Getty

BTS perform Fake Love at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 20, 2018. AP

BTS accept the Top Social Artist award at the Billboard Music Awards on May 20, 2018. Reuters

BTS attend the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2018. AP

BTS perform during a Korean cultural event in Paris as part of the South Korean president's official visit to France on October 14, 2018. AFP

BTS on the red carpet at the Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong on December 14, 2018. AP

BTS at the Seoul Music Awards on January 15, 2019. Getty

BTS present the award for Best R&B Album during the 61st Grammy Awards on February 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. AFP

BTS perform on Saturday Night Live on April 11, 2019. Getty

BTS before rehearsals for KBS 2TV's Music Bank in Yeouido, Seoul, on April 19, 2019. Getty

BTS perform at concert to promote 18th Fina World Championships at a stadium in Gwangju, South Korea on April 28, 2019. EPA

BTS and Halsey performing Boy With Luv at the Billboard Music Awards on May 1, 2019. Reuters

BTS attend Youth Day at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul on September 19, 2020. Reuters

BTS present a purple gift box to President Moon Jae-in during the inaugural Youth Day event in Seoul on September 19, 2020. EPA

BTS on the red carpet during the annual Mama Awards at Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, Japan, on December 4, 2019. Reuters

BTS at the 34st annual Golden Disk Awards ceremony in Seoul on January 4, 2020. EPA

BTS arrive at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on January 26, 2020. AP

BTS visit the Today Show at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on February 21, 2020. AFP

BTS give an address as part of the YouTube Originals Dear Class of 2020 speeches. YouTube Originals

BTS performing as part of the YouTube Originals Dear Class of 2020 speeches. YouTube Originals

BTS perform 'Dynamite' during the MTV Video Music Awards on August 30, 2020. Reuters

BTS accept the award for Best Pop Video for 'On' during the MTV Video Music Awards on August 30, 2020. AP

BTS arrives to security check-in at the United Nations headquarters during the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 20, 2021. AFP

V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope of BTS arrive at the 2021 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on November 21, 2021. Reuters

BTS accepts the award for artist of the year at the American Music Awards in 2021 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. AP

Jin, Suga, V, Jungkook, RM, Jimin, and J-Hope of BTS hold their award for the Favourite Pop Song, Favourite Duo or Group and Artist of the Year awards during the 2021 American Music Awards. Reuters

BTS pose on red carpet of iHeartRadio Jingle Ball concert in California on December 3, 2021. Reuters

BTS perform at Jamsil Olympic Park in southern Seoul, South Korea on March 10, 2022. EPA

BTS pose on red carpet of 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 3, 2022. Reuters

BTS perform Butter during 64th Annual Grammy Awards show in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 3, 2022. Reuters

BTS Permission to Dance concert in Las Vegas on April 10, 2022. Photo: Big Hit Music

Members of BTS join Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, centre, during a news conference at the White House in Washington DC on May 31, 2022. Photo: Oliver Contreras / Sipa / Bloomberg

Some groups stagger their members' service, so they can continue producing music and touring, while other groups don't manage it, and end up with all their members enlisting at about the same time.

Exo, another hugely popular K-pop group, are currently in the midst of such a transition. Three of their members (Suho, Xiumin and Do) have enlisted, and while the group have still released a studio album, a lot of their recent material has been solo works or other projects.

Is that the future for BTS? Solo albums for the next five years? Will their Army stand by them?

Watch this space.