At that level Big Hit has a market capitalisation of 11 trillion won — $9.6 billion — putting it among South Korea’s top 30 most valuable companies, and ahead of cosmetics-maker Amore Pacific.
South Korean boy band BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, pose on the red carpet at the 28th Seoul Music Awards in Seoul on January 15, 2019. South Korea requires all able-bodied men to serve in uniform to defend it against security threats from the nuclear-armed North.Under the existing conscription laws BTS member Jin — real name Kim Seok-jin — aged 27, will have to report for duty by the end of 2021.South Korea is currently debating exemptions for stars such as BTS, who have been at the forefront of the Korean Wave cultural phenomenon in recent years and are estimated to generate billions for the country’s economy.