If BTS members should be required to serve in the military, South Korea may conduct a survey to find out

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To decide whether to allow members of the K-pop boy band BTS exemptions from mandatory military duty, South Korea may hold a public survey, according to officials.

Because the band's oldest member, Jin, will be required to enlist in the military when he turns 30 in December, the topic of the band's seven members' active military service has become a contentious one in South Korea recently.

Source: ABC News and Top K-Pop News

Disclaimer: These are not our personal comments. All these comments are related to some social media posts and we have just compiled them together.

Netizens' Comments;

My country has enough members in the army it never needed mandatory service...but I am curious to understand how it works in general. Some of the comments state that kind of toxic culture estates in every kind of military around the world. That gives me heart attacks. It only means Armys💜 have to defend themselves from the army.
I am so worried about BTS. I don't want them to go.. 😵
8:42 did she just laugh at that? I think that’s an extremely tragic cycle of bullying
The military is like a Kenyan Highschool boarding the seniors bully the newbies and the cycle continues
New sub n I simply love you n ur channel! M binge watching all ur vids, do keep them coming n stay happy n healthy my friend!🥰👍🏼
"음..좀 고쳐주고싶은게 누구도 내가당했으니 너희들도 당해라 이런거 없습니다ㅋㅋ
여성분이 무조건 부정적인쪽으로 말하기를 이끌어가네요"
As an Indian, it was something different..... In India, military services are not mandatory... It's the youth who enrol themselves in military services with their willingness ... And only after passing certain parameters, they can officially become part of the Indian army... It's so different in Korea, China, America or any other country with mandatory military services..... Anyways everything has its benefits... Much love to kelsey💝
Thank you for uploading an informative video like this.
Just started d.p. Today am on ep 2 and I already am in love with it
No hate but why was she giggling when they were talking about the men who committed suicide?? like huh
Is there a hold on loans etc when the man is called away from his life? With that kind of salary if such financial obligations aren't legally put on hold then how many men are being financially ruined by this mandatory training?
Wow
I think this toxic behaviour is just rooted in the fact that it's a service made by men for men that will serve male ideals. And as we know toxic male attributes are toxic to everyone. So the fact that this system is still pushing this ideal is just so damaging to men. The toxic idea that men have to be strong in all aspects just explains why the senior officers are carrying on this toxic bullying behaviour as they haven't been taught the healthy way to deal with their issues and how to heal. Not to say "oh I went through shit and now so should you because that's fair" !?? If that was the normality nothing in society would change. There has to be a moment where people make a change and encourage others to do the same. Men are people and people of course have feelings and mental issues that need to be respected. Men need to grow up in an environment where they learn to respect themselves and each other no matter who they are. If they're going against North Korea they need to show that the south's way of living is the right way, in that people are respected and happy. Not beaten down and miserable as they would be in the north. I think the if the service were to continue they would have to be some sort of therapist on sight to look after them and make sure each guy knows how to great with his shit and isn't making anyone else's life shit. plus then there would be a safe space where guys could go if they needed someone to talk to.
why is she laughing and giggling throughout the video? Is the suffrage of men humorous to her?
Heartbreaking
Does swearing in this case means profanity or something else?
I feel sorry for those men in mandatory in Korea. In Greece also they have similar. But thankfully it improving and soldiers help and support each other
"Why do you laugh or smile at things that are serious or unpleasant?
I mean, I don't get it..."
I have a few years till I have to serve my years in the Singaporean military. I hope I don't go through anything like what was mentioned.
Hi Kelsey, I just wanna ask this question because I’m really curious what if someone is a transwoman are they still forced to join the military will they be on the female side which is their gender identity or still forced to go to the male side because of their biological sex?
Hell Nah while here in the Philippines Filipinos pushing military mandatory service.....
I'd take any consequences of dodging the draft. No matter how extreme they may be they are nowhere near as bad as this. Maybe that's me already having a very anti-American and anti-SK government bias seeking through if you get my gist.
Seems all places where a large number of people are forced to be/work together there is bullying. Military, school, office, university, country, holiday camp, family gathering...
In Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand men do national service. Singapore men complete 3 months of base training before entering into military, civil defence, and police.
I am a volunteer Army veteran and I feel sorry for the men who do not want to do Mandatory Service. It's never easy being in a place where you do not want to be. However, that place is within your borders and the guys will never experience real soldiering in the likes of Afghanistan. In 6 months my son's Corps which is the Royal Marines Commandoes lost 35 men with many losing up to three limbs. So let's get things into perspective here. The Mandatory Service is a show of force to the North and reassures the international community that Korea can carry a weapon and knows how to fire it. The Korean young seem to have forgotten how the combined Forces of the UN came to fight on their behalf. I have been told that in 1950 around 80% of the adult population was illiterate. In 1953 a worn torn country had to be rebuilt with international money
Now I understand what Lee Taemin went through.
How Can I Send this to the Philippines' President without Actually Sending it...
They better NOT exempt BTS after they put poor Taemin through hell!
This is awful.
"I think some of the bullyings is intentional, systematic, and normal in militaries. My understanding* is that part of military training is about "tearing people down and building them up again", a sort of brainwashing, to turn normal people into loyal killers who can handle the pressures of war. I think they try to "tear you down" by taking away your pride in who you were when you entered the camp (by emphasizing your inability to complete the given tasks or your disobedience and your need to improve) and your earlier ideas about personal freedom (by forcing you to follow unnecessarily difficult and limiting rules), and then give you new pride in your ability to follow their orders (even for things like posture at attention or extreme amounts of cleaning) and use the skills they teach you to accomplish the militarily relevant tasks they give you.
*as an American, where military service hasn't been mandatory since the Vietnam War and was only ever mandatory for random people, though I guess it still is since men still have to sign up to get drafted if the federal government ever decides to draft people. I can see how USA boot camps can be tougher, since, firstly, everyone going into the US military since 1973 has chosen to, knowing something about the harshness of the training, can quit at any time, and can be kicked out if they don't keep up or don't cooperate, and, secondly, the boot camp is only a few weeks or something, not the whole period of military service. Also, I'm not sure*** if USA troops do more actual fighting or not, since S. Korea apparently does send troops to many of the same overseas conflicts as the USA and also contributes more (total) troops to UN Peacekeeping missions, but it seems likely, at least for simple draftees, since their casualties are very low (which is maybe to he expected for peacekeepers and certainly expected for non-combatants like advisors). Whether or not this is relevant, I can see how a military that fights more might be crueller in how it trains recruits, to the extent that it's practical, because it might place more emphasis on their actual combat readiness and less on their well-being, though I can also see how the opposite might be true due to overcompensating** or increased empathy for people you think might die.
**similar to how I've heard the most violent US police are those with no military training who work with military veterans, not the veterans themselves
***EDIT: I've just learned fo another interview YuTube video that you have to volunteer for overseas deployments in the Korean military and they are "very competitive". I still don't know about how much they fight, but recruits who don't volunteer don't fight at all."
13:57 This reminds me of how the UN tries to hush up its huge rape problem (in aid and peacekeeping missions, particularly).
very interesting but also shocking to hear all that, thank you for making this video!! 😊🙏🏻
And there are still a lot of Korean women who make fun of the soldiers and say that men are going to a camp
If you search on the internet for military bullying most of the search results show South Korea. If military personnel are bullied or being bullied how are they going to protect the civilians then? I am from India and Indian Armed Forces have always made every Indian proud. If you watch Indian Republic Day Parade you will come to know what India means to every Indian soldier. Couldn't the military be all about patriotism? How could bullying be there I can't even imagine! If it remains like this how somebody would feel enthusiastic about enlistment?
Same here in India
"And Korean feminists still say that men in SK have privileges and all that b.s.
If women in SK want equality so much, why don't they request mandatory military service for women too?"
Dude why you were laughing continuously? Like when he said 2-3 suicide cases per day in the military base and you be laughing and repeating the same. Dude respect their lives. It's not something to laugh at, it's a serious problem, don't you think so?
I noticed you laughed when you heard Men committed suicide. That laugh It's pretty disgusting didn’t expect that from u. Is this because of the lack of compassion or hatred toward men or whatever.. how does that make you laugh? Noticed how that compassion suddenly came back! when u heard about women committing suicide!
I hate this girl.. why did she laugh when the man said at least 2 people die every day?? Is this a joke? She should show some concern or at least pretend. Being an INDIAN I feel bad for the Korean soldiers in the base camp but why can't I see any concern from her side??
If anyone watches Korean dramas and is interested in the military theme ones, I recommend a drama called D.P. which portrays the grim reality of the broken military system.
Before anything else what is the fcking purpose of using seokjin’s face in your thumbnail ??! While you’re talking about abuse and harassment and suicide, this is very disturbing! You had no reason to put his face there… for clout! probably to attract the army but let me tell you this was a very pathetic move! You could have uploaded your video without it too! Remove his face from your thumbnail!
abolish this draconian tradition.
this is horrible, but it's very common all around the world, any wrongdoing from a state body is never publicly exposed and even when it's leaked it's never mentioned what punishment will the guilty person faze, they just wait until the public forgets about it and give that person a pass with a slap on the wrist. something needs to change.
Abuse is not okay, fuck force
Is not a funny topic so... I don't get her to laugh
Midway thru the video but I can't stand how you keep continuously interrupting him. If you're so eager to find out about this issue, you should have shown him the minimum of respect by letting him finish his sentence.
My friend was nervous to go to the military selection here in Brazil he faked being sick, and he stayed days without eating properly to look skinny so he was not chosen 😂👍I guess Korea is more strict because there are more possibilities of war there than here.
"Honestly who would want to mess with Park Jimin who has a black belt in taekwondo, a Master in judo, learnt Chinese martial arts and hapkido!!!
That's like a suicide mission from my point of view"
"In the country I live in, guys of the age of 19-20 with the country's citizenship are also forced to serve the military for a year or so. However, they can choose to continue military training for 4 years or more and work there or leave after the mandatory year.
Girls of the age of 18 and up can volunteer for military training when they have citizenship too.
I didn't hear of harassment or suicide cases there even tho I live near a military training camp and see soldiers from time to time in uniforms and backpacks.
I hope stronger measurements are made for them and that their mental health is checked for them from time to time. The mandate sounds like hell there..."
Mandatory military service should be illegal everywhere, it's terrible
there's a lot of bromance in the military service in South Korea.
It’s strange because I would’ve thought if you’ve been bullied and you know what it feels like, you’d never want to pass that on to someone else. But then again, it’s like Joker. It’s not justifiable, but it’s understandable how villains are made not born. Insightful video and I'm glad the military conditions are getting better for these young men.
"I've talked through an app with a Korean man, we dated online and one time we got drunk through video call and he started telling me about his "trauma" because of the Military, since we don't speak the same language he only expressed to me like "Because of the military I weight 25 more kilos", "I didn't like it. I didn't enjoy it", he smokes a lot and drinks a lot (by the way I know this is very Korean anyways but he got drunk often) and truly I didn't know what to say to him because I didn't know the truth about the Military and nobody talks about how we should confront this topic. Men also suffer from mental health after their service and it should be something to worry about.
As an Argentinian woman, I wish for more fair treatment for Koreans in the Military Service, both Women workers and Men serving. I'll pray for everyone there."
Although I do appreciate all the effort it took to put this video out, what I hope gets improved next time is the seriousness in reacting to some of the grievous things mentioned in this video. I understand that this is a conversation between friends, but I hope that next time when discussing topics this serious, laughing at the appropriate times will be considered and done. I mean, the interviewer was able to show utter disgust and keep their laughter out when sexual abuse towards the women officers was discussed. I hope the same energy can be kept with the other gender's issues.
Que cojones, por qué ésta niña se ha reído cuando el chico ha dicho que entre 2-3 hombres se suicidan al día? Me salgo del video echando hostias, hasta luego
"They say women are petty
Looks at how petty guys are. Repeating the bully cycle again and again"
Why are pop idols in the news as soon as there's even a whisper of a rumour about bullying but in the military, it's not talked about? Bullying and being tough are two completely different things. Bullying should be treated with the same degree of seriousness everywhere
Thank you for telling this story. And thank you to your friend who was willing to be so candid.
"It's weird how she's all smiley and happy talking about people committing suicide
Almost as it brings her satisfaction"
This kind of no-better-than-my-experience logic is the same reason hazing continues in Greek Life in America. He’s right — when you’re surrounded by that toxic culture, it’s hard not to lose your principles. The poison corrupts you.
"Respect in SK isn't always about age. It's also about what you do, who your family is, and a ton of other stuff. It is an extremely social hierarchy. And knowing your place is detrimental OR you can be a black sheep and help change things.
A very well-known family with kids that are younger versus a middle-class family with kids that are in the same school but could be a little bit of an age difference, you can expect the wealthy kid to always be sided with.
But, if you guys looking IN will take a step back and look at the small-town USA, it's not much different. The only difference is the immediate deference to someone who's even one month younger than you. That's way too damn much.
I'm 40 but could never imagine deferring to someone simply bc of age aside from a child/parent dynamic."
Sorry to say but if Americans weren't backing you up by this kind of attitude of superiors or comrades towards each other you would have been defeated a long time ago. The military should never be mandatory first of all as it takes away purpose and bullying makes a military weaker as it shows that they are more interested in harassment rather than giving their own life to save someone, what a shame.
Are people only concerned bc BTS is going to the military and their fans are trying to get them pardoned?
I am from Ukraine, and we also have mandatory military service. All these things are common for armies military discipline is based on pressure. How else would you force one to fulfil orders and commands?
A tip from me, after this, just don't freak laugh, you're welcome.
Interesting video but why are you smiling...
*laughs nervously as all my Korean male friends are going to the military this year*
"Most of my family comes from a military background and I've spent all my life in military residence hence my mom never forced us to join the military despite many relatives saying to do so. The military environment is toxic no matter which country. There is always a toxic side to it. But Korean men have it rough with mandatory service against their will.
But here is something I wanna personally say n it's just my opinion. While I think mandatory service against one's will is not good but I do feel for a country like South Korea which is smaller in size and population n war prone the citizens must know the basics of fighting when war breaks out. So I can understand the mandatory service. But I'm sure if bullying doesn't happen n the environment is not toxic the men would be more willing to do their service.
Also for most small countries with a low population, I think mandatory military service should be implemented for their good. U may ask why I say that. Coz even tho I'm born in India myself my parents are from Nepal. A country which is stuck between India and China two huge military power and not on good terms it wud be better if the people know how to fight n protect themselves n others if the time comes."
NOOO TAEMINEEEE 😭😭😭
"Good Lord, I won't forget the details of GD's life during military service. The man was already struggling but people outside kept criticizing. Then those inside were invading and disrespecting his space to a point that they were digging through his details and even detailing his body.
So Fxxk up!"
Why do you use someone who didn't go to the military 😂 l
No wonder my uncles who were in the military didn't want me to join. I'm a female and I wanted to join as a job since I was a kid but I have two uncles who were in the military and said it's better if I do not go 😐. Thank goodness I haven't gone yet now I know I'm not going there anymore 😐
"In our country, this doesn't happen.
Nothing compulsory"
"Oh my God, I feel so mad hearing that!! 13:15. She/or anyone 'assaulted' would have the right to "shoot an assailant" in that situation for self-defence right? They're not "co-workers" nor on "the same side/army/team" anymore if they're "attacking" each other like that? And ugh "even while drunk they're still seniors" How about we change that around - "Anyone mentally incapacitated in any way and any time, is to be treated as a member of the public/loses their standing and their authority is invalid."
Let me appeal to the stupid soldiers and army creators - "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." So.......... to the Governments and STUPID PPL in the ARMY - what do you think about THAT, hm????? If your soldiers can get along.......you're doomed. I bet that the senior who assaulted her/ or anyone that harbours this kind of evil in their heart would be the FIRST ONE to flee or die in war (or vice versa. The victim, just quit. ) HMPH! Still tho, my heart pains - It's so horrible what happened!
Thanks for this video!.. I hope more ppl in Korea see this honest conversation!!!"
My father was a Korean War veteran, and combat engineer, there's a reason why the South Koreans have a free country today, they fought for their freedom, and the ROK forces fought beside their UN brothers. South Korea is an example of freedom and success.
South Korea's mandatory military service needs to be eradicated. It is an outdated form of a requirement made by old heads. The world has changed, and society has changed. Millennials and younger generations need to stand up and make a change to this outdated tradition.
What's sad is that sexual abuse from men is also isn't talked about. and Korea thinks that stopping gays from entering the military will stop that but doesn't realise that gays that are in the military always end up having a higher chance of sexually harassed then most considering they are perceived to be perverted and "want it". But that's also not to ignore the hetero men themselves that are also made targets by these officers and seniors. People can be bad regardless of their background and I want to keep that in mind.
How can he just get into special force? it's hard in my country to clear even a probation period I can not imagine the training process.
They serve so people can be protected, so we got to honour it, this is how Korea remain in the top ten but it getting few soldiers nowadays and probably gonna be fewer in the future so it not looking good
A humble request to remove the photoshopped image of Jin from BTS in a soldier's uniform in your thumbnail. It lowkey makes it look like a clickbait video and I feel it is of poor taste. Even for Jin and its members, it is a sensitive subject that they don't often publicly talk about so please respect that and avoid using photoshopped images of them. Plus he hasn't even gone to the military yet so why include an edited photo of him when the video has nothing to do with it? Army 💜 if you're reading this please go see the thumbnail she has used for the video and please use your voice.
PLEASE DON'T USE KIM SEOKJIN's photo in the THUMBNAIL! Why do you use a photoshopped image of him in a soldier's uniform? Sheesh, all this just so people will click on it? PLEASE REMOVE IT. You don't need to put any of the BTS members' faces on your video thumbnail. It is. a personal and sensitive matter to bts and Jin never went to the military yet so it is misleading to use an edited image. Take it down.
I don't know why but Kelsey's laugh when the guy was mentioning suicide was kind of annoying even if she is doing it out of irritation.
"I served, flew from Canada and gave up citizenship to try the Korean army... it wasn't that hard... Heck, it was fun. Albeit, I was a competitive boxer before going. But I went before your friend, got a lot easier since I left. If you have common sense, and just nut up, it's not that hard. Guys who try to commit suicide, we had 3 during my time of service, were all weird dudes who would be loners outside of the military.
I went pretty late though, and although the younger guys were of higher rank than me, they were pretty easy to manipulate because this was their only experience living without their parents.
Honestly speaking, never felt challenged, Korean guys are kinda weak (probably cause they don't grow up playing as many sports as we do in the west?), and the only time I felt regret about joining was how it wasn't the life-changing challenge/adventure I was looking for... like going camping for 2years with some buds and a handful of jerks."
1 year and 9 months are crazy! Here in Switzerland, we have mandatory service too, but it is 21 weeks. And your employer has to keep your job open for you, they can't just fire you or fill it. So the guys have a normal life to go back to in an easy way. Plus they get weekends at home pretty regularly too, to see family or a partner. So it sucks, but not for such a long time.
Thank you to your Friend for sharing all of this it's really interesting, especially coming from a very different culture.
FYI the military still considers gay people as having a "personality disorder"
Este incredibil, individa asta rade cand vorbeste despre rata sinuciderilor din serviciul militar din tara ei. Cred ca are o oarecare dereglare mintala.
#philippinemilitary will be the gayest military ever ;)
In Egypt it's mandatory and you get around $20 / month 💀
Do actors and pop stars go there too?
Military service in Greece is only one year, with no exemptions no matter how famous you are unless you are disabled or the only adult male left in your family. However, depending on your connections and the amount of money you have available for bribing, you can sometimes skip it. The experience is relatively easy as I've been told, think according to a friend the worst thing he had to do while serving was cooking for everyone, but there are hard posts like watching the borders or standing for hours straight under the sun as a member of the presidential guard (they only accept very tall and fit men for this). Despite the more humane conditions, bullying by superior officers or mostly older men is sadly still an issue.
Instead, they are training their people to suicide as they will their enemy. I am proud of my country India 🇮🇳 it’s never happened. Punishment will be given in India while training like crawling, rolling and running with weights.
The whole bullying thing is exactly what the Japanese did to their conscripts before WW2.
I remember… I was there… 2 years of my prime time. Imagine how many ppl ended their life during summertime
Can you imagine any of its going through this hell? It's breaking my heart thinking about it.
I'm hating Korea day by day
It's a bit of an ugly way to set oneself free...