Fans of the K-pop band BTS may have a long wait for new music. As of December, all seven members have begun mandatory service in the South Korean military. Able-bodied men age 18 or older are required to serve, typically for 18 months, although the government makes some exemptions for people such as Olympic champions. Pop stars, however, aren’t eligible for opt-outs, a fact that has sparked debate when it comes to BTS. In 2020, the government revised a law to allow cultural icons to defer their enlistment to the age of 30, up two years from 28. But lawmakers face pressure not to let artists off the hook entirely, as many young Koreans have questioned the fairness of the draft, wondering why elite athletes get exemptions but not ordinary people. For their part, BTS members seem to be taking enlistment in stride. “I believe that after this,” member RM posted on social media, “something else good is waiting for us, without a doubt.”