K-pop superstars BTS were once again nominated at this year’s Grammys ceremony, earning nods in the Album of the Year category (as part of Coldplay’s credited contributors for their nominated album Music of the Spheres), Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (“My Universe” by them and Coldplay), and Best Music Video (“Yet to Come”). But Jungkook, J-Hope, Jin, Jimin, Suga, RM, and V all didn’t come out to Los Angeles for the ceremony. Jin is serving military duty right now, which explains his absence. None of them were photographed on the red carpet.
BTS is currently on hiatus as the boys pursue solo projects and all complete their mandatory military duty in South Korea. They plan to reconvene as a group again in 2025, after all members have finished their service. Given their current status and their nominations being largely linked to Coldplay’s, the group’s collective decision to not fly from South Korea to attend the Grammys isn’t too surprising.
In a statement released in October, their entertainment company Bighit said, “The members of BTS are currently moving forward with plans to fulfill their military service. Group member Jin will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is concluded at the end of October. He will then follow the enlistment procedure of the Korean government. Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans.”
“With the release of their first anthology album earlier this year it opened the path to allow the members to take some time to explore individual projects,” Bighit continued. “As part of the HYBE family, we support and encourage our artists and are beyond proud that they will each now have time to explore their unique interests and do their duty by being of service to the country they call home. After the phenomenal concert to support Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030, and as each individual embarks on solo endeavors, it’s the perfect time and the members of BTS are honored to serve.”
