'BTS and I were talking about this since 2018,' says Bang Si-hyuk on group's military service: ‘Prepared to turn this…'

HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk has spoken about BTS' military service. Here's what he said.

BigHit founder and HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk has spoken about the military service of BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. In a new interview, Bang Si-hyuk responded to a question on how he looked at the South Korean military service. Si-hyuk revealed he has been in discussion with BTS members about the matter since 2018 and 'we're not done yet'. He also said that they have been prepared to make the period a 'turning point in their career'. (Also Read | J-Hope releases On The Street song with J Cole ahead of military service, BTS fans compare it to Jin's Astronaut)

BTS members RM, Jin, Jungkook, Suga, V, Jimin, and J-Hope with Bang Si-hyuk.

Bang Si-hyuk was asked about his role towards BTS, on if he is a 'father figure, big brother, mentor, producer, best friend, or all the above'. He said that to BTS he is 'all of the above'. He also added that he doesn't think that BTS will be 'surprised to hear my answer'.

In an interview with CNN's Quest on Business, Bang Si-hyuk spoke about the group's military service, "From the career's point of view, no artist would be happy to have such a long pause against their will. I think it's a separate issue from the mindset that we faithfully and gladly serve the country. Yet BTS and I were talking about this since early 2018. So it's been long discussed, and we're not done yet."

"We've been prepared to turn this into a turning point in their career. It's obviously true that they needed this time of rest after such an intense period of hard work. They can't remain the BTS of today, but need to grow and change as artists," he also added.

Bang Si-Hyuk, is the person behind the success of BTS. Since their debut in June 2013, Bang Si-Hyuk has been the pillar of support for the BTS members and has encouraged them to do better. In 2021, he stepped down as HYBE's CEO, formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment.

All able-bodied South Korean men ages 18-28 must serve in the military for about two years. Last year, BTS members announced that they would join the military starting with Jin, who turned 30 and enlisted in December after postponing his service as long as permitted. The seven-member group has pursued solo projects since announcing a break from group musical activities in June last year.

Last month, J-Hope said that he began the enlistment process for mandatory military service. BigHit Music had said that the rapper applied to end the postponement of his own enlistment.

"We would like to inform our fans that J-Hope has initiated the military enlistment process. We ask you for your continued love and support for j-hope until he completes his military service and safely returns," the statement said.