The latest focus in South Korea has been directed toward BTS's mandatory military issue.

As much as BTS is a global K-pop group, there has been various attention on whether the group will be exempt from the mandatory military service for their contributions to increasing national prestige with their global influence. For example, some have argued that BTS's accomplishments are more important and noteworthy than an athlete winning a Gold medal at the Asian Games. They feel that BTS serving two of their prime years in the military will be a big waste. This issue has constantly lingered as the older BTS members are now at the age to serve in the national military service and there has been news constantly mentioning the status of the 'Special Military Exemption Act.'

This issue has received increased attention with the new presidential administration meeting with the executive of HYBE to discuss the matters over BTS military service. However, there has been further uncertainty on this issue as time passes, and the agency has not given a clear statement on the matter.

Recently one executive member of HYBE received criticism for making a statement that caused the members to be criticized. Lee Jin Hyung, the Chief Commercial Officer, shared the details of the military service issue and stated in an interview, "The members are anxious too, things are uncertain. We want the bill to be dealt with as soon as possible" and "The artists are having a difficult time because of this. Due to this situation, it's difficult to make plans to do things." According to fans, the CCO began talking about the military service issue even though the reporters weren't about it. People had issues with the CCO saying that the members were anxious too and having a difficult time. Because of this, the issue was diverted to the BTS members and they were called to make a statement on it.

The fan who shared this in an online community further explained, "The entertainment company's job is to shield its artists, but for HYBE it's the opposite. There are only malicious comments in online communities. Even the members understand that they shouldn't share their personal opinions and they have been saying in interviews, 'Our position is in line with the company's position.'"

Additionally, another netizen claimed that after the CCO stated unnecessary things about the military service, the BTS members were called to fix the situation during their concert rehearsal.  The fan explained, "1. The HYBE CCO said all the things that are causing issues online, and then there was a sudden press conference with BTS ten minutes after. The members were dressed in their concert outfits when the makeshift press conference was made. The members weren't aware of the situation and only had to say the basic things."

They continued, "2. the members were brought to the press conference all of a sudden without knowing any context. So, BTS said they trust the company in the context that they entrust everything such as their promotions and schedules. Then after the press conference, they were told to go to the concert right away."

The OP got their information from this podcast.

The fans explained that BTS members were pushed under the bus by the agency after the CCO made all the mistakes during the interview.

These fans have become angered as they criticize HYBE for not doing a proper job. They commented, "I can tell why the members' facial expressions look like that," "People are thinking BTS members aren't going to the military because they themselves are not going but it's all the company's fault. They are pushing it back," "HYBE really isn't protecting their artists," and "How is it that BTS is cleaning up HYBE's mess?"