搜索关注在线英语听力室公众号:tingroom,领取免费英语资料大礼包。
(单词翻译)
Members of the Korean popular music group BTS might still be able to perform while serving in the military, South Korea's defense1 minister said.
Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup spoke2 to members of the National Assembly on Monday. Lee said that, by letting BTS continue performing, the military could serve national interests. He said the move would not further affect the decreasing number of young men able to serve in the military because of low birth rates.
"Even if they join the military, there would be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together if there are scheduled concerts abroad," Lee said.
He added, "As many people highly value (artists serving) in the military, that may help boost3 their popularity4 even more."
The minister made the comment as the country debates shortening6 the required military service for K-pop stars to three weeks from about two years.
The issue is becoming more urgent as the oldest member of the group, Jin, turns 30 next year. Under a 2019 revision of the law, internationally recognized K-pop stars are permitted to delay their service until age 30.
In South Korea, all healthy men aged7 18 to 28 must fulfill8 their duties in the military as part of efforts to defend against North Korea.
Some groups have won exemptions10 that permit them to delay their service in the armed forces or serve for a shorter period. These include medal-winners at the Olympics or Asian Games and classical musicians and dancers who win top prizes at certain competitions. In 2019, exemptions were added for internationally recognized Korean pop music stars. K-pop stars are permitted to delay their service until the age of 30.
The National Assembly is now debating a bill that would shorten5 military service for K-pop stars. The new administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol is also considering exemptions for some engineers and researchers in the computer chip and other technology fields.
BTS' representative, Big Hit, did not answer a request for comment from the Reuters news agency.
In April, a Big Hit official said some members were having a "hard time" because of "uncertainties11" over the debate, calling for a decision. The seven-member group announced in June that they would take a break from musical activities together to do individual projects.
Since its first performance in 2013, BTS has become a worldwide success with its music and social campaigns aimed at young people.
BTS became the first Asian musical group to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards last year. In May, they met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss hate crimes targeting Asians.
A South Korean research group estimated in 2018 that BTS would support $43 billion in economic activity between 2014 and 2023.
Words in This Story
scheduled –adj. something that is planned for a certain time
concert –n. a musical performance
boost –v. to increase the force, power or amount of something
exemption9 –n. freedom from being required to do something that others are required to do
1 defense | |
n.防御,保卫;[pl.]防务工事;辩护,答辩 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 boost | |
n.鼓励,激励,提高;v.鼓励,使增强信心 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 popularity | |
n.普及,流行,名望,受欢迎 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 shorten | |
vt.弄短,缩小,减少 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 shortening | |
n.缩针,简写;酥油/雪白奶油v.弄短,缩短( shorten的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 aged | |
adj.年老的,陈年的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 fulfill | |
vt.履行,实现,完成;满足,使满意 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 exemption | |
n.豁免,免税额,免除 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 exemptions | |
n.(义务等的)免除( exemption的名词复数 );免(税);(收入中的)免税额 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 uncertainties | |
无把握( uncertainty的名词复数 ); 不确定; 变化不定; 无把握、不确定的事物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
本文本内容来源于互联网抓取和网友提交,仅供参考,部分栏目没有内容,如果您有更合适的内容,欢迎 点击提交 分享给大家。