S. Korea Passes BTS-Friendly Law for Mandatory Military Service

BTS is so big, they just forced their government to give ’em a longer leash on when they’ll have to drop everything and enlist in the military … which is unprecedented.

South Korea has long had a law called the Military Service Act — which requires every able-bodied male in the country to serve at least 20 months before they turn 28 … and K-Pop boy band members were no exception.

On Tuesday, however, the parliament tweaked that — allowing top K-Pop artists (who receive government accolades) a 2-year deferment, which they specifically did to appease the oldest BTS member, Kim Seok-jin, who turns 28 this week.

S. Korea’s justification for bending the rules … BTS brings so much cultural and economic prosperity to the country — especially now that they’ve broken through with international audiences — it’d be a shame to rip a key member away when he’s about to be in the prime of his musical career.

Mind you, K-Pop singers will NOT be completely exempt from serving — they’ll have to put down the mic and pick up a gun by at least 30 under this rule change … but the fact S. Korea bent over backward for their biggest boy band is astounding.

Strangely, the nation does allow certain exemptions to their conscription policy — Korean Olympic athletes who get medals, and Korean musicians who get awards don’t have to serve at all, so long as they’re internationally recognized as such.