Military Exemption for K-pop Stars

Athletes in different sports take part in various international tournaments.

When they win a gold medal at a major sporting event like the Olympics, the government exempts them from the nation's mandatory military service.

Artists and musicians also get this same exemption when they win a top prize at an important international competition.

Now, some say that K-pop stars deserve this same benefit.

For example, BTS has topped the Billboard 200, one of the most influential music charts in the world, several times already.

The boy band is the only Korean musical act to have accomplished this feat more than once.

Fans of BTS say it is as meaningful as a pianist winning a prestigious competition.

Also, supporters of this idea say that BTS can benefit Korea more by staying out of the military.

The boy band presents a positive image of the country overseas.

Their fame also generates trillions of won for the national economy.

With the military exemption, the group can continue to do these things during the height of their popularity.

Others, however, disagree that K-pop stars like BTS should receive military exemption.

They say that topping a music chart is a great achievement.

But, in the end, it is a measurement of sales and popularity, and not quality.

So, it is very different from receiving an Olympic medal or winning a classical music competition.

Furthermore, they say that it is important for K-pop stars to fulfill their military obligations.

Their actions can greatly influence how their young fans think and feel about the military.

By carrying out their duties, these stars are showing their fans that they take their military responsibilities seriously.

This kind of behavior can keep the nation's military force strong and the country safe.

 

• exempt  ɪɡˈzempt  (…이) 면제되는    mandatory |mændətɔːri  법에 정해진, 의무적인 (=compulsory)  accomplish  ə|kɑːmplɪʃ  완수하다, 성취하다, 해내다 (=achieve)

• feat  fiːt  호감 위업, 개가, (뛰어난) 솜씨[재주]  prestigious preˈstɪdʒəs 명망 있는[높은], 일류의  generate  ˈdʒenəreɪt  발생시키다, 만들어 내다

• at the height of  …의 절정에, …이 한창일 때에   in the height of  한여름에   obligation |ɑːblɪ│ɡeɪʃn  의무(마땅히 해야 할 일), (=commitment)

• fulfill  fulfíl   <의무·약속·직무 등을> 다하다, 이행하다, 수행하다, 끝내다, 완료하다  force  fɔːrs (물리적으로 나타나는) 힘 / (~을 하도록) ~를 강요하다