[theqoo] EVEN BTS SERVED THE ARMY…. “ONLY MILITARY EXEMPTION, NOT FOR A MEDAL”, YANG MIN-HYUK’S INTERVIEW SPARKS OUTRAGE

The men’s national football team, which achieved a fourth consecutive victory at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, is facing a fierce backlash due to the careless remarks made by some players regarding their military service exemptions. Discussions on re-evaluating the exemption system, granted under the vague justification of “enhancing national prestige,” a benefit not even extended to BTS, are also expected to gain momentum.

[…] At the center of the controversy was forward Yang Min-hyuk, who had provided the assist for the winning goal. In a post-match broadcast interview, Yang candidly admitted, “Honestly, I didn’t think the medal or trophy mattered,” adding, “The reward was the military service exemption, so that was the only thing I was focused on while playing.”

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Online communities were flooded with criticism fueled by a sense of relative deprivation, questioning the fairness of a system where an Asian Games gold medal translates directly into an exemption from service, especially in an era when even global superstars like BTS are enlisting.

[…]

As public sentiment continued to worsen, Yang Min-hyuk issued a formal apology via social media on the 4th. He stated, “While participating as a national team member held great significance and I gave my all to win the championship, my remarks conveying that military service exemption was also one of my motivations were miscommunicated.” He added, “Regardless of the reason, it was clearly my fault for appearing to treat the value of the gold medal lightly as a national team athlete.” He went on to ask for forgiveness once again, emphasizing, “I never intended to mock the hard work of those currently fulfilling their military service obligations or the young men who will have to do so in the future.”