All members of BTS officially starts their mandatory military service in South Korea

All the members of BTS, including Jin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook, have officially commenced their mandatory military service in South Korea, sparking global interest in the demanding training procedures they will undergo, including the gas chamber challenge, obstacle course, and grueling marches.

The Hwasaengbang, also known as the gas chamber challenge, is considered one of the most challenging aspects of South Korea’s military training. Public attention to this aspect has increased through its portrayal on shows like Real Men and Infinite Challenge, showcasing soldiers enduring intense exercises in a gas-filled room without masks. Some soldiers struggled with the tasks, leading to instances of fainting.

With the enlistment of all BTS members, speculation has arisen about whether they will undergo this rigorous training. Earlier images of Jin at the Hwasaengbang camp depict soldiers practicing in an actual gas chamber, including Jin washing his face, a common post-training routine.

Suga, however, has been deemed “unfit for regular combat duty” and will serve as a social service agent in the South Korean military, exempting him from the gas chamber training. The remaining members may soon begin the rigorous training in their country.

Japanese media outlet Nippoin News Network acknowledged South Korea’s tough military practices, stating that BTS members will need to complete various training, including entering gas-filled rooms without masks.

Several South Korean netizens who have undergone the gas chamber challenge during their military service shared their experiences online. One netizen described it as a “CBR (chemical, biological + radiological) and a grenade drill,” where soldiers put on a gas mask to enter and exit a gas chamber. Another netizen emphasized the challenging nature of military training and expressed hope that Jin doesn’t have to go through pepper spray training. Overall, netizens recognized the difficulties of military training and offered their support to the BTS members undergoing this experience.