For fans of the South Korean K-Pop band BTS, the world came crashing down in the summer of 2022: Their idols have to undergo military service in South Korea. While e-sports players in League of Legends, like superstar Faker, now apparently have the opportunity to dodge it if they are good enough to make their country proud and win gold at the 2022 Asian Games.
What’s the deal with military service in South Korea? Fans of League of Legends have known for years: the South Korean military doesn’t joke around when it comes to military service. Due to the constant threat from North Korea, there are strict rules regarding military service. Even successful professionals who earn millions and are internationally famous must end their careers when the state calls:
- In South Korea, every young man is registered at 18, assessed at 19, and must complete military service by the age of 28 at the latest.
- Successful LoL professionals like Khan (27) had to abruptly end their already short professional careers because the military called, and they had no chance to delay service any further.
- Military service lasts about 2 years, and a comeback after such a long time is hardly possible.
Faker will turn 28 in May 2023; for him, time is running out:
Extremely successful band has to pause for years for military service
Now it’s happening to BTS: The Korean group BTS was formed in 2010. They are followed and celebrated frenetically by their fans. Anyone who sins against them is the enemy.
BTS has sold over 40 million albums. Worldwide, BTS is an extremely successful band: They were the first non-English speaking band to perform a sold-out show at Wembley Stadium.
Many members of the group are currently at the critical age of 27 or 28, and according to regulations, they must now serve in the military and can no longer postpone it, despite their immense success.
In June 2022, the group announced a planned, extended break to fulfill their military service obligations.
In December 2022, the oldest member of BTS, Jin, was already conscripted. In April 2023, J-Hope followed, while Suga will be called up on September 22, 2023.
The production company stated that all members of the BTS group plan to complete their military service. They look forward to the band reuniting in 2025.
Some fans of the band, known as ARMY, were shocked by the news that BTS would be apart for some time. The discussion is now heating up again.
In South Korea, this is a hot topic: Must BTS really go to the military when it’s spared for e-sports players?
Sport Stars and Recently E-sport Players Can Evade Military Service
Can one escape military service? There is a way to permanently evade military service in South Korea: You have to be such a great athlete or classical musician that you elevate the prestige of your nation.
For instance, soccer star Son Heung-min (HSV, Leverkusen, Tottenham) was granted an exemption from military service in 2018 after winning gold at the 2018 Asian Games. He only had to serve 3 weeks in the military.
Now, e-sports stars like Faker can also benefit from this exemption. For the first time in the history of the Asian Games, LoL games will be played as well. Faker is representing South Korea at the 2022 Asian Games: The games will take place from September 22 to October 8 in Hangzhou. They were postponed due to Covid.
Along with many physical sports, “intellectual sports” such as bridge, chess, Go, Xiangqi, and e-sports (LoL) will be featured at the 2022 Asian Games.
Korea Competes with a Killer Team at the Asian Games
Who is competing for South Korea at the Asian Games? South Korea is fielding a true killer team: The team consists of the “Best Players on the Planet,” including Zeus, Cavani, the “Undying Demon King” Faker, the cultishly revered Chovy, Ruler, and prodigy Keria.
The only team that could somewhat keep up is China’s team. They are fielding 369, Bin, Jiejie, Knight, Jackeylove, and Meiko.
The South Korean team clearly won against Hong Kong and Kazakhstan in the preliminary round.
Faker Might Evade Military Service if He Wins Gold
It is assumed that Faker, as an “elite athlete” of his country, will also be spared from military service if he wins the gold medal.
A regulation states that “elite athletes or classical musicians” can be exempt from military service if they enhance the prestige of the nation.
Thus, Faker, who will turn 28 in May, might actually evade military service.
It will likely come down to whether Faker wins the final against China and can continue playing until 30, or whether he will be drafted instead.
Interestingly: Maybe Faker won’t even have to play himself, but can leave the mid lane to “our lord and savior” Chovy. The star player of Gen.G is 5 years younger than Faker and has already ruined some of his tours lately.
Who is upset about this? As reported by the US portal Dexerto, BTS fans are shocked by this news.
As Nikkei Asia reports, a resident of Seoul says:
If everyone gets an exemption rule for winning gold, then we must also include e-sports players. But it feels strange that you get special treatment when you’re sitting at a computer playing a game.
The extreme importance of LoL in South Korea is evident from the fact that politicians are concerned about Faker and his career. Three years ago, there were initial ideas that such a gem should not be sent to war:
Politician wants to change the law so Faker can continue to play LoL
