Any hint of avoiding military service could have been disastrous for the K-pop band, as South Koreans have been unforgiving when it comes to draft dodgers.
Koreanisches Kulturerbe: Im Schlag der großen Jingo-Trommel taz.de - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from taz.de Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
It is 30 years since the first recognisable modern K-pop song – incorporating hip-hop sounds and breakdancing – debuted on South Korean TV, delighting teens but shocking music critics.