Four members of the famous K-pop group BTS, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, have started the process of joining the military. In South Korea, most guys have to serve in the military, just like the three older members of the band who are already serving. The group is expected to get back together in 2025. Their music label, Big Hit Music, has asked fans to keep supporting the members until they come back safely from their military service.

This news comes after Jin enlisted last year and J-Hope in April. Suga, another member, is serving as a social service agent because he can’t do regular combat duty. In June, BTS took a break so that all the members could do their military duties. Before this, people were debating whether BTS should be exempt from military service because they’ve done a lot for the country’s economy and promoting South Korea worldwide.

Unlike some athletes and musicians, K-pop stars in South Korea can’t skip military service. In September, it was confirmed that all seven BTS members renewed their contracts with their music label. Fans are relieved to hear this and feel better about the group’s future.

Overall, the enlistment of RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook is a big deal for these BTS members’ careers. While they’re doing their military duties, fans are encouraged to keep supporting them. Everyone is excited for their reunion in 2025 and can’t wait to see what else they’ll achieve in the music industry.

Original news source: BTS’s RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook begin military enlistment process (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask them to work together to create a brief summary of the news. They should include the main points, such as which members of BTS are joining the military and when they are expected to return. After a few minutes, have each group share their summary with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write the following question on the board: “Should BTS be exempt from military service?” Divide the class into pairs or small groups and ask them to discuss their opinions on the topic. After they have had a chance to discuss, conduct a class poll by asking each student to raise their hand in favor of exemption or in favor of serving in the military. Record the results and have a brief class discussion about the different opinions.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to brainstorm the pros of BTS serving in the military, and assign the other group to brainstorm the cons. Give them a few minutes to come up with their ideas. Then, have each group take turns sharing their list with the class. Encourage the class to engage in a respectful debate about the different points.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Pose the following question to the class: “How do you think the military service will impact BTS’s music career?” Give the students a few minutes to think about their response individually. Then, have them pair up with a partner and discuss their thoughts. After a few minutes, ask a few pairs to share their ideas with the class.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask the students to imagine that they are music industry experts. In pairs or small groups, have them discuss and make predictions about what BTS’s music career will look like after their military service. They can consider factors such as their popularity, the type of music they might create, and any potential challenges they may face. After they have had a chance to discuss, ask a few groups to share their predictions with the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Who are the four members of BTS that have started the process of joining the military?
2. Why do most guys in South Korea have to serve in the military?
3. When is the group expected to get back together?
4. What has their music label, Big Hit Music, asked fans to do?
5. Who are the two members of BTS that are already serving in the military?
6. Why is Suga serving as a social service agent instead of regular combat duty?
7. Why did BTS take a break in June?
8. Why were people debating whether BTS should be exempt from military service?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Four members of the (1)______ K-pop group BTS, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, have started the process of (2)______ the military. In South (3)______, most guys have to serve in the military, just like the three older members of the band who are already serving. The group is expected to get back together in 2025. Their music label, Big Hit (4)______, has asked fans to keep supporting the (5)______s until they come back safely from their (6)______ service.

This news (7)______ after Jin enlisted last year and J-Hope in April. Suga, another member, is serving as a social service (8)______ because he can’t do regular combat duty. In June, BTS took a break so that all the members could do their military duties. Before this, people were debating whether BTS should be exempt from military (9)______ because they’ve done a lot for the country’s economy and promoting South Korea worldwide.

Unlike some athletes and (10)______ians, K-pop (11)______ in South Korea can’t skip military service. In September, it was confirmed that all seven BTS (12)______ renewed their contracts with their music label. Fans are relieved to hear this and feel (13)______ about the group’s future.

Overall, the enlistment of RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook is a big deal for these BTS members’ careers. While they’re (14)______ their military duties, fans are encouraged to keep (15)______ them. Everyone is excited for their (16)______ in 2025 and can’t wait to see what else they’ll achieve in the music industry.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is military service and why is it required in South Korea?
2. How would you feel if you had to leave your career for a few years to serve in the military?
3. Do you think it’s fair that K-pop stars can’t skip military service? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think BTS’s music label asked fans to keep supporting the members during their military service?
5. How do you think the enlistment of RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook will impact their careers?
6. Do you think it’s important for fans to continue supporting their favorite artists during their military service? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the members of BTS feel about serving in the military?
8. What do you think it means for BTS to renew their contracts with their music label?
9. How do you think the enlistment of Jin, J-Hope, and Suga has affected the group?
10. What other ways do you think BTS has contributed to South Korea’s economy and promotion?
11. How do you think the break for military duties will impact BTS’s music and performances?
12. Do you think BTS should be exempt from military service because of their contributions to South Korea? Why or why not?
13. How do you think the fans feel about the reunion of BTS in 2025?
14. What do you think the future holds for BTS in the music industry?
15. How important do you think military service is for the overall development of an individual? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. process
2. military
3. label
4. exempt
5. careers
6. duties
7. reunion
8. achieve

Meanings:
(a) To successfully accomplish or reach a goal
(b) Not required to do something
(c) Tasks or responsibilities that need to be done
(d) A company or organization that produces and promotes music
(e) A gathering of people who come together again after being apart
(f) The work or profession someone has
(g) The armed forces of a country
(h) A series of actions or steps to accomplish something
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which members of BTS have started the process of joining the military?
(a) RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook
(b) Jin, J-Hope, Suga, and Jimin
(c) RM, Jin, Suga, and J-Hope
(d) V, Jung Kook, Jin, and Suga

2. Why do most guys in South Korea have to serve in the military?
(a) They choose to serve voluntarily
(b) It is a tradition in their families
(c) It is a requirement in the country
(d) It is a way to gain popularity

3. When is the group expected to get back together?
(a) 2022
(b) 2025
(c) 2023
(d) 2024

4. What is the name of BTS’s music label?
(a) K-pop Records
(b) Big Hit Music
(c) South Korea Entertainment
(d) BTS Management

5. Who is serving as a social service agent instead of doing regular combat duty?
(a) RM
(b) Jimin
(c) V
(d) Suga

6. When did BTS take a break for their members to do their military duties?
(a) June
(b) September
(c) April
(d) July

7. Why were people debating whether BTS should be exempt from military service?
(a) Because they are not South Korean citizens
(b) Because they are too young to serve
(c) Because they’ve done a lot for the country’s economy
(d) Because they are not popular enough

8. What did all seven BTS members do in September?
(a) Released a new album
(b) Started their military service
(c) Announced their retirement
(d) Renewed their contracts with their music label

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Their music label, Big Hit Music, has asked fans to continue supporting the members until they safely return from their military duties.
2. K-pop stars in South Korea, unlike some athletes and musicians, cannot skip military service.
3. The group is expected to get back together in 2025 after completing their military service.
4. Four members of the popular K-pop group BTS, Jin, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, have started the process of joining the military.
5. Jin enlisted last year and J-Hope in April, while Suga is serving as a social service agent due to his ability to do regular combat duty.
6. In September, it was confirmed that only six BTS members renewed their contracts with their music label, bringing relief to fans and ensuring the group’s future.
7. BTS took a break in June to allow some members to fulfill their military obligations.
8. In South Korea, most guys have to serve in the military, just like the three older members of the band who are already serving.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Who are the four members of BTS that have started the process of joining the military?
2. Why do most guys in South Korea have to serve in the military?
3. When is the group expected to get back together?
4. Why couldn’t Suga do regular combat duty?
5. Why were people debating whether BTS should be exempt from military service?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Who are the four members of BTS that have started the process of joining the military?
– RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook.

2. Why do most guys in South Korea have to serve in the military?
– It is a mandatory requirement in South Korea for most guys to serve in the military.

3. When is the group expected to get back together?
– The group is expected to get back together in 2025.

4. What has their music label, Big Hit Music, asked fans to do?
– Big Hit Music has asked fans to keep supporting the members until they come back safely from their military service.

5. Who are the two members of BTS that are already serving in the military?
– Jin and J-Hope are the two members of BTS who are already serving in the military.

6. Why is Suga serving as a social service agent instead of regular combat duty?
– Suga is serving as a social service agent because he is unable to do regular combat duty.

7. Why did BTS take a break in June?
– BTS took a break in June so that all the members could fulfill their military duties.

8. Why were people debating whether BTS should be exempt from military service?
– People were debating whether BTS should be exempt from military service because they have contributed significantly to the country’s economy and have promoted South Korea worldwide.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) famous
(2) joining
(3) Korea
(4) Music
(5) member
(6) military
(7) comes
(8) agent
(9) service
(10) music
(11) stars
(12) members
(13) better
(14) doing
(15) supporting
(16) reunion
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. process
Answer: (h) A series of actions or steps to accomplish something

2. military
Answer: (g) The armed forces of a country

3. label
Answer: (d) A company or organization that produces and promotes music

4. exempt
Answer: (b) Not required to do something

5. careers
Answer: (f) The work or profession someone has

6. duties
Answer: (c) Tasks or responsibilities that need to be done

7. reunion
Answer: (e) A gathering of people who come together again after being apart

8. achieve
Answer: (a) To successfully accomplish or reach a goal
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Which members of BTS have started the process of joining the military?
Answer: (a) RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook

2. Why do most guys in South Korea have to serve in the military?
Answer: (c) It is a requirement in the country

3. When is the group expected to get back together?
Answer: (b) 2025

4. What is the name of BTS’s music label?
Answer: (b) Big Hit Music

5. Who is serving as a social service agent instead of doing regular combat duty?
Answer: (d) Suga

6. When did BTS take a break for their members to do their military duties?
Answer: (a) June

7. Why were people debating whether BTS should be exempt from military service?
Answer: (c) Because they’ve done a lot for the country’s economy

8. What did all seven BTS members do in September?
Answer: (d) Renewed their contracts with their music label
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Their music label, Big Hit Music, has asked fans to continue supporting the members until they safely return from their military duties. (Answer: True)
2. K-pop stars in South Korea, unlike some athletes and musicians, cannot skip military service. (Answer: True)
3. The group is expected to get back together in 2025 after completing their military service. (Answer: True)
4. Four members of the popular K-pop group BTS, Jin, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, have started the process of joining the military. (Answer: False)
5. Jin enlisted last year and J-Hope in April, while Suga is serving as a social service agent due to his ability to do regular combat duty. (Answer: False)
6. In September, it was confirmed that only six BTS members renewed their contracts with their music label, bringing relief to fans and ensuring the group’s future. (Answer: False)
7. BTS took a break in June to allow some members to fulfill their military obligations. (Answer: False)
8. In South Korea, most guys have to serve in the military, just like the three older members of the band who are already serving. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧