On July 7, Big Hit Entertainment announced that all BTS members, except for the youngest Jungkook, are now enrolled in Hanyang Cyber University's graduate school programs. The Bangtan boys are taking classes for a degree in Master's of Business Administration in Advertising and Media. The company also stated that J-Hope, RM, and Suga have already enrolled in March of last year under the same program and are currently already attending their classes online.
After the announcement was made, ARMYS and netizens couldn't help but commend the group. As everyone already knows, many young people look up to BTS, so seeing them pursue graduate degrees despite the pandemic is a beautiful example to the kids and teens that are having problems with the new norms, including online education.
Also, fans think it's an excellent investment since no one knows what the future holds. A master's degree will definitely come in handy and pave a new way for the Bangtan boys.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the application process for universities was changed. Students were interviewed online, and enrollment processes were done via e-mails. Hanyang Cyber University is one of the 21 online schools in Korea. They are one of the best, so they have a thorough screening process. Students have to undergo several screenings, pass a written application, and an online entrance exam before being admitted to the virtual university.
As the news was released, people also speculated that the members might have been enrolled to skip military training. This has been an ongoing issue with several idols in the past. Some famous personalities go out of the country or enroll in a university to delay their military enlistment.
Since many Koreans, especially those who come from well-to-do families, delay their enlistment due to graduate school, ambassador promotions, or having a sibling serving in the military, the Korean government cut down the age wherein male citizens could delay their mandatory military service to 28 years old in August of 2018. Before that, Korean men can delay their military enlistment until they reach 30.
In addition to the new law, the government also added travel limitations, only allowing males aged 25 to 27 five international flights with a maximum of six months for two years.
However, Big Hit Entertainment immediately responded with, "the group's graduate school enrollment is not a sudden decision. It was carefully thought about and considered by everyone in the group for a long time. It's not in any way related to their military service. The BTS members wanted to expand their educational achievements and study advertising and media for future plans."
Meanwhile, the BTS member Jin finished a degree in film studies at Konkuk University. In contrast, BTS's J-Hope, Jimin, RM, Suga, and V graduate with their first degree at Global Cyber University, where they majored in Broadcasting and Entertainment.
Congratulations to the kings of K-pop! The ARMYs are all proud of you, and good luck with all your future endeavors! The Kpopstarz team are all rooting for you!
