BTS members defer military enlistment

You can relax for now, ARMY — BTS will continue performing with all seven members next year.

According to Korean media, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook have applied to defer their military enlistment until the age of 30.

Under South Korean law, able-bodied men must enlist in the military between the ages of 18 and 28.

Due to the law's revision last year, Jin, 28 years old and the eldest in the group, will be able to remain active in BTS until his birthday in December next year.

It is only now that the septet applied for deferment of the mandatory service.

Minister Hwang Hee of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) had earlier stated that he will recommend BTS should they apply for postponement.

BTS is fresh from a successful night at the American Music Awards, in which they won all three prizes they were nominated for, including the biggest award, Artist of the Year.

They also just received their second consecutive Grammy nomination for their mega-hit "Butter."

Amid calls for the members' exemption from military service, Yonhap News Agency reported that South Korea's defense ministry stressed the need for "prudence" in considering military exemption for BTS and other top stars, citing the nation's shrinking population and other factors.

Meanwhile, Jin in a news conference early last year said, "Military service is the natural duty and when duty calls, I will respond any time." —JCB, GMA News