BTS Dragged Into Scathing Military Enlistment Controversy, Sparking Fury

BTS has once again been mentioned in a military enlistment debate, and many Korean netizens are not happy about it.

The controversy started after South Korea’s men’s football team won the gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The team defeated Japan 1-0 in the final and won the men’s football title for the fourth consecutive time.

The gold medal also meant that the eligible players received a military service benefit under South Korea’s current system. However, some players’ comments after the match quickly caused backlash.

Yang Minhyuk (who helped create the winning goal) was asked about winning the medal. His answer sparked outrage.

Honestly, I don’t think the medal or trophy was important. The benefit I would receive is exemption from military service, so that was the only thing I had my eyes on when I played.

– Yang Minhyuk

Captain Lee Gihyuk also made comments about not having to enlist after winning the gold medal. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Park Seungsoo posted a photo of himself wearing a military “discharge cap” in the locker room.

As the players faced brutal criticism, BTS was unexpectedly dragged into the conversation, with media outlets focusing on reactions that mentioned the stars’ completed enlistment.

In an era when even global superstar BTS serves in the military, is it really fair for an Asian Games gold medal to directly lead to preferential military exemption?

– MyDaily

The comparisons drew scathing reactions online. Many questioned why BTS had to be brought into another controversy when the members had already completed their military service.

• “BTS really gets dragged into every single issue, huh.”

• “Please, just leave BTS alone now that they’ve already served. And the commenters who know perfectly well that the article is baiting people for clicks but still go off with their inferiority complex and shit, just get lost too.”

• “After seeing that interview, I think it really is time to get rid of the military exemption, starting with the Asian Games.”

• “Ugh, just talk about this without bringing BTS into it.”

• “I’m not even a BTS fan, but BTS already served, so what does this have to do with them..;”

• “Leave BTS out of it now.”

• “I wish you guys would just fight among yourselves and not even mention BTS in connection with the military.. They’ve been dragged through this so much that I’m completely sick and tired of it.”

The debate over military service benefits is now growing beyond the football team. Several politicians have called for changes to the system, while others have argued that the players’ comments should not be used for political purposes.

For many Korean netizens, however, one thing is clear: they are tired of seeing BTS dragged into the conversation.

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