BTS, the famous K-pop group, has asked their fans not to visit army camps when they start their mandatory military service. They’re worried that fans might cause problems for other soldiers and their families. In the past, big crowds have gathered to see them off, which has become a hassle. The band’s record label announced that four members, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, are expected to join the army next week. Three other members are already in, and the oldest member, Jin, joined last year.

South Korea is still technically at war with North Korea, so all able-bodied men have to do military service. The band members know how important it is, and they want it to go smoothly without any disruptions. They appreciate their fans’ support but want them to show it in other ways instead of visiting the army camps.

BTS has a big and loyal fan base, and their fans have been really supportive throughout their career. But it’s important for fans to respect the band members’ privacy and space while they’re in the military. The band members want to focus on their duties as soldiers and not be distracted by fan gatherings at the army camps.

It’s really cool that BTS is taking the lead and talking to their fans about this issue. They understand how fan gatherings can affect the atmosphere at the army camps. By asking their fans not to visit, BTS is showing how mature and responsible they are as public figures.

Fans can still support BTS by respecting their wishes and finding other ways to show their love and appreciation. They can send encouraging messages, take part in fan events organized by the band’s record label, or support their music and projects while they’re serving in the military.

Original news source: BTS urge fans to not show up at army camps when their military service starts (BBC)

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Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask each group to work together to write a summary of the article in their own words. Afterward, have each group share their summary with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the students to form pairs or small groups. Give each group a statement related to the article, such as “Should fans be allowed to visit army camps?” or “Is military service important for all able-bodied men?”. In their groups, students should discuss their opinions on the statement and come to a consensus. Then, have each group share their opinion and the reasons behind it with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into two teams. Call on one student from each team to come to the board. Give each student a word from the list and have them draw a picture to represent the word, without using any letters or numbers. The team members must guess the word based on the drawing. The team that correctly guesses the most words wins.

– Headline Creation
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, ask the students to create a catchy headline for the article. Encourage them to be creative and use their knowledge of vocabulary and grammar to construct an attention-grabbing headline. Afterward, have each group share their headline with the class and explain why they chose it.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask the students to imagine themselves as one of the BTS members mentioned in the article. In pairs or small groups, they should discuss and make predictions about their experiences and challenges during their military service. They can also discuss how they think their fans will show support during this time. Afterward, invite some groups to share their predictions with the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Why has BTS asked their fans not to visit army camps during their mandatory military service?
2. What has happened in the past when big crowds gathered to see BTS off for their military service?
3. Which four members of BTS are expected to join the army next week?
4. Why is military service mandatory for all able-bodied men in South Korea?
5. Why do the band members want their military service to go smoothly without any disruptions?
6. How have BTS fans shown their support throughout the band’s career?
7. Why is it important for fans to respect the band members’ privacy and space while they’re in the military?
8. How is BTS showing maturity and responsibility by asking their fans not to visit the army camps?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

BTS, the famous K-pop group, has asked their fans not to visit army camps when they start their mandatory military service. They’re (1)______ that fans might (2)______ problems for other (3)______ and their families. In the past, big crowds have gathered to see them off, which has become a hassle. The band’s record label announced that four members, RM, (4)______, V, and Jung Kook, are expected to join the army next week. Three other (5)______ are already in, and the oldest member, Jin, (6)______ last year.

South Korea is still technically at war with North Korea, so all able-bodied men have to do military (7)______. The band members know how important it is, and they want it to go smoothly without any disruptions. They appreciate their fans’ support but want them to show it in other ways instead of visiting the army camps.

BTS has a big and (8)______ fan base, and their fans have been really (9)______ throughout their career. But it’s important for fans to respect the band members’ privacy and space while they’re in the military. The band members want to (10)______ on their duties as soldiers and not be distracted by fan gatherings at the army camps.

It’s really cool that BTS is (11)______ the lead and talking to their fans about this (12)______. They understand how fan gatherings can affect the (13)______ at the army (14)______. By asking their fans not to visit, BTS is showing how mature and responsible they are as public figures.

Fans can still support BTS by respecting their wishes and finding other ways to show their love and appreciation. They can send encouraging messages, take part in fan events organized by the band’s (15)______ label, or support their music and (16)______ while they’re serving in the military.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a K-pop group?
2. How do you think the band members feel about their fans visiting army camps?
3. How would you feel if you were a member of BTS and fans were causing problems at the army camps?
4. Do you like BTS? Why or why not?
5. Do you think it’s important for fans to respect the privacy and space of celebrities?
6. How do you think fan gatherings can affect the atmosphere at army camps?
7. What are some other ways fans can show their love and appreciation for BTS?
8. How do you think BTS is showing maturity and responsibility by asking their fans not to visit army camps?
9. Have you ever been to a fan event for a celebrity? How was it?
10. How do you think the band members will feel when they start their mandatory military service?
11. Do you think it’s fair that all able-bodied men in South Korea have to do military service?
12. How do you think the band members’ lives will change while they’re serving in the military?
13. How do you think BTS’s music and projects will be affected while they’re in the military?
14. What are some other ways fans can support BTS while they’re serving in the military?
15. How do you think the band members will feel when they finally complete their military service?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. mandatory
2. disruptions
3. distractions
4. atmosphere
5. mature
6. responsible
7. supportive
8. appreciate
9. loyal
10. privacy
11. space
12. career
13. encourage
14. organized
15. projects

Meanings:
(A) Plans or tasks that are undertaken to achieve a particular goal or outcome
(B) Value or recognize the importance or worth of something
(C) The area or distance around someone or something that is free or unoccupied
(D) Things that divert attention or prevent concentration
(E) Acting in a sensible and grown-up way
(F) The course or progress of a person’s working life or professional achievements
(G) Being accountable and reliable for one’s actions
(H) Providing help, encouragement, or assistance
(I) The state of being alone or not being disturbed by others
(J) The overall feeling or mood in a particular place or situation
(K) Give support, confidence, or hope to someone
(L) Arranged or planned in a systematic way
(M) Required by law or rule
(N) Faithful and dedicated, showing strong support
(O) Interruptions or disturbances that prevent something from continuing as planned
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why has BTS asked their fans not to visit army camps during their mandatory military service?
(a) They want to keep their military service a secret.
(b) They are worried that fans might cause problems for other soldiers and their families.
(c) They don’t want their fans to see them in uniform.
(d) They are afraid of North Korean spies infiltrating the camps.

2. Which members of BTS are expected to join the army next week?
(a) Jin, Suga, and J-Hope
(b) RM, Jin, and Jimin
(c) V, Jung Kook, and Suga
(d) RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook

3. Why do all able-bodied men in South Korea have to do military service?
(a) South Korea is still technically at war with North Korea.
(b) It is a tradition in South Korean culture.
(c) The government wants to keep the men disciplined.
(d) The military needs more soldiers.

4. How have fans shown their support for BTS throughout their career?
(a) By sending encouraging messages.
(b) By attending fan gatherings at army camps.
(c) By protesting against mandatory military service.
(d) By criticizing the band’s decision to join the army.

5. Why do BTS members want their fans to respect their privacy and space while they’re in the military?
(a) They don’t want their fans to know about their military service.
(b) They are afraid of their fans.
(c) They want to focus on their duties as soldiers.
(d) They want to keep their military experience a secret.

6. What does it mean that BTS is “taking the lead” in this situation?
(a) They are the first K-pop group to ask their fans not to visit army camps.
(b) They are the first K-pop group to have a big and loyal fan base.
(c) They are the first K-pop group to join the military.
(d) They are the first K-pop group to have members in the military.

7. How can fans still support BTS while they’re serving in the military?
(a) By respecting their wishes and not visiting army camps.
(b) By organizing fan events at the army camps.
(c) By criticizing their decision to join the military.
(d) By boycotting their music and projects.

8. What does it mean that BTS is showing how “mature and responsible” they are as public figures?
(a) They are acting like children and not taking their responsibilities seriously.
(b) They are acting like celebrities and ignoring their responsibilities.
(c) They are acting like soldiers and not taking their responsibilities seriously.
(d) They are acting like adults and taking their responsibilities seriously.

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. South Korea is still technically at war with North Korea, so all able-bodied men have to do military service.
2. BTS wants their military service to go smoothly without any disruptions from fan gatherings at the army camps.
3. The band members want to focus on their duties as soldiers and not be distracted by fan gatherings at the army camps.
4. BTS, the famous K-pop group, has encouraged their fans to visit army camps when they start their mandatory military service.
5. The band’s record label announced that four members, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, are not expected to join the army next week.
6. BTS is not showing how mature and responsible they are as public figures by asking their fans not to visit the army camps.
7. Three other members of BTS are currently not in the military, and the oldest member, Jin, did not join last year.
8. Fans can still support BTS by respecting their wishes and finding other ways to show their love and appreciation.
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. Why has BTS asked their fans not to visit army camps during their mandatory military service?
2. What problem have big crowds caused in the past when BTS members were leaving for military service?
3. How many BTS members are expected to join the army next week?
4. Why is military service mandatory for all able-bodied men in South Korea?
5. How can fans still support BTS while they are serving in the military?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why has BTS asked their fans not to visit army camps during their mandatory military service?
BTS has asked their fans not to visit army camps because they are worried that it might cause problems for other soldiers and their families.

2. What has happened in the past when big crowds gathered to see BTS off for their military service?
In the past, big crowds have gathered to see BTS off, which has become a hassle.

3. Which four members of BTS are expected to join the army next week?
The four members of BTS expected to join the army next week are RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook.

4. Why is military service mandatory for all able-bodied men in South Korea?
Military service is mandatory for all able-bodied men in South Korea because the country is still technically at war with North Korea.

5. Why do the band members want their military service to go smoothly without any disruptions?
The band members want their military service to go smoothly without any disruptions because they want to focus on their duties as soldiers.

6. How have BTS fans shown their support throughout the band’s career?
BTS fans have shown their support throughout the band’s career by being loyal and supportive. They have attended concerts, bought their music, and engaged with them on social media.

7. Why is it important for fans to respect the band members’ privacy and space while they’re in the military?
It is important for fans to respect the band members’ privacy and space while they’re in the military because they need to focus on their duties and not be distracted by fan gatherings.

8. How is BTS showing maturity and responsibility by asking their fans not to visit the army camps?
BTS is showing maturity and responsibility by asking their fans not to visit the army camps because they understand how fan gatherings can affect the atmosphere at the camps. They want to ensure a smooth military service without any disruptions.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) worried
(2) cause
(3) soldiers
(4) Jimin
(5) members
(6) joined
(7) service
(8) loyal
(9) supportive
(10) focus
(11) taking
(12) issue
(13) atmosphere
(14) camps
(15) record
(16) projects
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. mandatory
Answer: (M) Required by law or rule

2. disruptions
Answer: (O) Interruptions or disturbances that prevent something from continuing as planned

3. distractions
Answer: (D) Things that divert attention or prevent concentration

4. atmosphere
Answer: (J) The overall feeling or mood in a particular place or situation

5. mature
Answer: (E) Acting in a sensible and grown-up way

6. responsible
Answer: (G) Being accountable and reliable for one’s actions

7. supportive
Answer: (H) Providing help, encouragement, or assistance

8. appreciate
Answer: (B) Value or recognize the importance or worth of something

9. loyal
Answer: (N) Faithful and dedicated, showing strong support

10. privacy
Answer: (I) The state of being alone or not being disturbed by others

11. space
Answer: (C) The area or distance around someone or something that is free or unoccupied

12. career
Answer: (F) The course or progress of a person’s working life or professional achievements

13. encourage
Answer: (K) Give support, confidence, or hope to someone

14. organized
Answer: (L) Arranged or planned in a systematic way

15. projects
Answer: (A) Plans or tasks that are undertaken to achieve a particular goal or outcome
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Why has BTS asked their fans not to visit army camps during their mandatory military service?
Answer: (b) They are worried that fans might cause problems for other soldiers and their families.

2. Which members of BTS are expected to join the army next week?
Answer: (d) RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook

3. Why do all able-bodied men in South Korea have to do military service?
Answer: (a) South Korea is still technically at war with North Korea.

4. How have fans shown their support for BTS throughout their career?
Answer: (b) By attending fan gatherings at army camps.

5. Why do BTS members want their fans to respect their privacy and space while they’re in the military?
Answer: (c) They want to focus on their duties as soldiers.

6. What does it mean that BTS is “taking the lead” in this situation?
Answer: (c) They are the first K-pop group to join the military.

7. How can fans still support BTS while they’re serving in the military?
Answer: (a) By respecting their wishes and not visiting army camps.

8. What does it mean that BTS is showing how “mature and responsible” they are as public figures?
Answer: (d) They are acting like adults and taking their responsibilities seriously.
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. South Korea is still technically at war with North Korea, so all able-bodied men have to do military service. (Answer: True)
2. BTS wants their military service to go smoothly without any disruptions from fan gatherings at the army camps. (Answer: True)
3. The band members want to focus on their duties as soldiers and not be distracted by fan gatherings at the army camps. (Answer: True)
4. BTS, the famous K-pop group, has encouraged their fans to visit army camps when they start their mandatory military service. (Answer: False)
5. The band’s record label announced that four members, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, are not expected to join the army next week. (Answer: False)
6. BTS is not showing how mature and responsible they are as public figures by asking their fans not to visit the army camps. (Answer: False)
7. Three other members of BTS are currently not in the military, and the oldest member, Jin, did not join last year. (Answer: False)
8. Fans can still support BTS by respecting their wishes and finding other ways to show their love and appreciation. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧