[Kang Il-hong's Today Entertainment] "BTS Went to the Military"... Why is the 'Abolition Debate' on Military Service Exemptions Spreading?

Jang Hanbyul's First Solo Concert Sells Out Instantly, Leading to "900,000 Won Scalped Tickets"Tuesday, October 6, BTS/ BLACKPINK/ Jang Hanbyul/ Kim Da-hyun/ Joo Byung-jin[THE FACT|Reporter Kang Il-hong] BTS, who have been making global strides after all members completed their military service, "It is natural for any Korean man to serve in the military." These words, spoken by BTS members before their enlistment, resonate particularly strongly when looked back upon today. Is it due to the recent resurgence of a sensitive debate?The remarks and a single photo from some members of the national football team, who won a gold medal at the Asian Games, have reignited the dormant debate over military service exemptions."I will not go to the military." And a photo wearing a discharge cap. The athletes immediately apologized, but the public's questions did not end there."Why do some people receive an exemption from military service for winning medals, while others do not?" The current system, strictly speaking, is not a 'complete military exemption.' Those who place 3rd or higher in the Olympics or win a gold medal at the Asian Games are incorporated as arts and sports personnel, undergoing military training, serving for 34 months in their specialized field, and performing public service.However, for professional athletes in sports like soccer and baseball, it is a significant benefit in practice, as they can continue their athletic careers instead of enlisting for active duty. The problem lies precisely here. If military service is a 'sacred duty' to the nation, is it truly fair to offer it as a reward for athletic achievement?Someone has been brought up again in this controversy. It is BTS. If the criterion is "promoting national prestige," have there been any other young people who have made Korea's name known to the world as much as BTS? Yet, all members of BTS eventually completed their military service.BTS's attitude during the military service controversy is also being re-examined. "It is natural for any Korean man to serve in the military." They did not view their military obligation as a subject for special treatment, despite their immense economic and cultural achievements and global popularity.This is why BTS is being compared again. Soccer players receive military benefits for winning an Asian Games gold medal, while BTS, who elevated Korea's status on the global stage, had to complete their military service.The question, then, is simple. It is not about arguing 'who contributed more to the nation.' It is about whether it is right in the first place to calculate military service as compensation for national contribution.Former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min pointed out this very issue. "If we consider only the effect of promoting national prestige, there are no young people like BTS, but is it fair that BTS has to serve in the military while Asian Games gold medalists are exempted?" In fact, a closer look at the system makes it difficult to draw a clear line."Why is an Asian Games gold medal acceptable but a silver medal is not? Why are the Olympics included but other international competitions are not? In the arts, which competitions are accepted and which are not? And if another global pop culture star like BTS emerges in the future, what criteria will be applied to them?"Ultimately, any line drawn will inevitably lead to further fairness debates. Of course, there are reasons to argue for supporting sports and arts. National support is particularly necessary to maintain the international competitiveness of less popular sports.However, 'exemption from military service' is not necessarily the only way to support sports and arts. Outstanding achievements can be adequately compensated through other means such as prize money, pensions, national team support, and training support. Perhaps the core question this controversy poses to us is this:Can the logic that "those who have brought honor to the nation do not have to serve in the military" be persuasive to future generations? For young men who have completed their military service, it represents a gap of 18 months or more in their careers and lives. If this military obligation is erased for some as a 'reward' for their achievements, it can lead to a sense of relative deprivation.Therefore, this controversy should not end with just a few players' misspoken words. The key is not the players, but the system. And this is why BTS has been brought up again. The image of BTS, who were stars that promoted Korea on the world's biggest stages but ultimately accepted their military obligations, is sending a stronger message to our society today.Is a country that exempts military service for those who have brought honor to the nation a fair country? Or is a country that can say, "No one is exempt from military service, no matter how great their success," a fairer country? This military service exemption debate is once again posing that question before us.First K-pop Debut Song in History, Global Status of Debut Song from 10 Years Ago ReaffirmedBlack Pink's debut song "BOOMBAYAH" music video has surpassed 1.9 billion views on YouTube. This record was set approximately 10 years after its release in August 2016. What makes it particularly significant is that "BOOMBAYAH" is the first debut music video by a K-pop group to reach 1.9 billion views."BOOMBAYAH" is a track from Black Pink's first single album 'SQUARE ONE,' and along with "WHISTLE," it marked Black Pink's official debut. The fact that a song released at the time of their debut continues to accumulate views on YouTube even after 10 years and is setting new records is drawing attention."BOOMBAYAH" had already surpassed 300 million views in March 2018, followed by 600, 700, 800, and 900 million views sequentially. In 2020, it became the first K-pop group debut music video to exceed 1 billion views. And now, it has finally reached the 1.9 billion view milestone.In addition, Black Pink's other representative songs, "DDU-DU DDU-DU" and "Kill This Love," have also surpassed 1.9 billion views, making Black Pink the first K-pop artist to have three music videos with over 1.9 billion views.This record goes beyond simply adding another number to the view count. YouTube is a representative global platform where fans worldwide consume music.The fact that a song released at the time of debut, like "BOOMBAYAH," continues to be consumed consistently for nearly 10 years can be interpreted as Black Pink's music and performances not being a fleeting phenomenon but being continuously discovered by new generations of fans.Since their debut, Black Pink has established itself as a representative group showcasing the global expansion of K-pop through various activities in music, fashion, and performances.And this 1.9 billion view count for "BOOMBAYAH" has become another number that symbolically represents that journey. Black Pink, whose 2016 debut song is setting new records even 10 years later, "BOOMBAYAH's" 1.9 billion views are more than just a view count; they represent the longevity and influence K-pop has gained in the global music market.Fans are also keenly watching to see if "BOOMBAYAH" will surpass another milestone of 2 billion views.On the 5th, at the pre-festival event of the 31st Busan International Film Festival held at BIFF Square in Jung-gu, Busan, Kim Da-hyun, wearing a pink dress, took the stage with Cho Won-hee, the community BIFF organizing committee chairman, to host the pre-festival event. Her bright expression and interaction with the audience drew attention. /Newsis"Shaken, but Not Stopped," Shim Soo-bong's Controversy Fades as Kim Da-hyun's Smile Shines in BusanThe controversy was brief, and Kim Da-hyun's smile bloomed brightly again. Singer and actress Kim Da-hyun met with fans in Busan with a bright demeanor, undeterred by the controversy involving singer Shim Soo-bong's critical remarks.On the 5th, at the pre-festival event of the 31st Busan International Film Festival held at BIFF Square in Jung-gu, Busan, Kim Da-hyun, wearing a pink dress, took the stage with Cho Won-hee, the community BIFF organizing committee chairman, to host the pre-festival event. Her bright expression and interaction with the audience drew attention. However, until just a short while ago, Kim Da-hyun was at the center of an unexpected controversy.The incident began on September 20th at a trot festival in Jinan, Jeonbuk, where Shim Soo-bong made remarks that seemed to disrespect Kim Da-hyun as a singer and as a person, referring to Kim Da-hyun's preceding performance.Shim Soo-bong specifically criticized Kim Da-hyun's songs and life experiences on stage, and the controversy escalated as the video spread online. Criticism followed regarding the appropriateness of the way and the language used to mention a junior artist in a public setting.Shim Soo-bong eventually issued a public apology the next day, admitting her remarks were a 'slip of the tongue.' She also directly conveyed her apologies to Kim Da-hyun and her family. Kim Da-hyun also revealed that she had received direct apologies and comfort from Shim Soo-bong afterward.And Kim Da-hyun did not dwell on the controversy. Instead, she continued her activities diligently in her own position.On the 5th, she led the stage as an MC at the Busan International Film Festival pre-festival event and even performed a celebratory stage, receiving enthusiastic responses from the audience. Kim Da-hyun's fans came dressed in deep pink, holding cheering sticks and fans, and Kim Da-hyun expressed her gratitude by making heart shapes with her arms and waving to them.Behind the stage, her father, Kim Bong-gon, a master of traditional Korean culture, watched his daughter's performance. What garnered more attention than the controversy was Kim Da-hyun's bright smile and confident demeanor.Kim Da-hyun's journey does not end here. On the 6th, she is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony red carpet of the Busan International Film Festival as an actress, not a singer. She recently took on the role of Ji-yoon, the daughter of actor Kim Jong-min, in the movie 'Florence,' venturing into acting. She is expanding her career from singer to actress, forging a new path.A past controversy cannot define everything about a person. What matters is the image they present afterward. Kim Da-hyun once again stood brightly before her fans on the Busan stage. She is focused on her stage, her music, and her new challenges, rather than being swayed by controversies.Perhaps the most fitting words for Kim Da-hyun right now are these: "I may be shaken, but I will not stop." Fans are eagerly anticipating Kim Da-hyun's next move as she heads towards a broader stage after overcoming controversy."Rags to Riches Legend" Emerged Like a Comet... First Concert Sold Out, Scalped Tickets AppearSinger Jang Hanbyul's first solo concert has sold out, proving his immense popularity. Notably, tickets were sold out within just 2 minutes of their release, and scalped tickets, priced at a staggering 900,000 won, more than five times the face value, have appeared, igniting fan interest.Jang Hanbyul will hold his first solo concert, 'THE STAR IS BORN,' on October 31st at the Daehan Hall of Sejong University in Seoul. The concert will have two shows, one at 1 PM and another at 6 PM. As soon as tickets were released, all seats for all shows were sold out in just 2 minutes.However, reflecting the fervent enthusiasm of fans awaiting the concert, ticket prices on online used goods marketplaces and social media soared to over five times the face value, reaching up to 900,000 won.Jang Hanbyul had already sold out all seats for his fan meeting in July within 1 minute of ticket opening. With his first solo concert also selling out at lightning speed, he is now recognized as a leading artist with undeniable 'ticket power.'Jang Hanbyul's rising popularity is not limited to ticket sales alone. After emerging like a comet by ranking in the TOP 3 of MBN's 'Rags to Riches Legend,' Jang Hanbyul went on to win KBS2's 'Immortal Songs,' securing a broad fan base.At this concert, he is set to deliver a special performance for his fans, showcasing a diverse range of genres from ballads to trot and pop, accompanied by a live band.Amidst the overheated scalping market, his agency, Leon Works, has urged fans to exercise extreme caution. They requested that fans refrain from purchasing tickets through premium resale or illegal transfers, not from official ticketing sites, and stated they would do their best to ensure fans could enjoy the concert safely and legitimately.From his powerful debut on 'Rags to Riches Legend' to the instant sell-out and the 900,000 won scalped tickets, Jang Hanbyul's first solo concert is expected to once again prove why he is currently one of the most anticipated artists."Thought it Ended with an Acquittal"... The Scars of That Day Still Lingering After 26 Years"The court ruled him innocent, so why does the incident not end in people's memories?" Broadcaster Joo Byung-jin has revisited the sexual assault case that surrounded him 26 years ago.Joo Byung-jin was arrested on charges of sexual assault in 2000, leading to a halt in his broadcasting activities and causing significant public controversy. The case went through legal battles for about two years, and Joo Byung-jin was ultimately acquitted. Legally, the conclusion was 'not guilty.'However, the story Joo Byung-jin shared on a recent broadcast was closer to his life after the verdict than the court's decision. He stated that the scars from that time had not disappeared."The wounds in my heart are never erased. They will continue to trouble me until the day I die." So why is he unable to completely escape this incident even after being acquitted?First, the way a court's judgment and public memory operate are different. While courts determine guilt or innocence based on evidence and law, the public may retain lasting memories of the media coverage at the time, the images, and the fact that he was a 'celebrity involved in a case.'Second, the social relationships and the collapse of daily life experienced during the process, rather than the incident itself, can leave a more lasting impact. Joo Byung-jin did not describe the suffering of that time as simply a single incident. He spoke of the pain as if his life had been trapped in darkness.And there is one scene that deserves attention here. During his difficult times, he went to the Han River, discovered a person in a dangerous situation, approached them, listened to their story, and handed them over to the police. Perhaps it was a moment when someone carrying their own wounds encountered another person's pain.Ultimately, the biggest question left by this incident is this: "If a case is legally over, is it truly over in the affected person's life?"An acquittal is a legally significant conclusion. However, a single verdict does not erase a person's reputation, relationships, or the lingering traces in their heart. Joo Byung-jin's confession, 26 years later, illustrates precisely that gap.The incident may be over, but the memory may not be, and perhaps that is why some wounds do not disappear with time but become a process of learning to live with them.eel@tf.co.kr