"Esports' Inclusion in Asian Games: A Game-Changer for South Korean Athletes"

Gaming's inclusion as an official medal sport in the Hangzhou Asian Games, particularly in the realm of esports, marks an extraordinary achievement. Nonetheless, for certain players, participation in this competition carries immense significance, potentially leading to life-altering outcomes.

For male participants from South Korea, securing a gold medal at the Asian Games or the Olympics not only bestows honor but also offers a valuable military exemption.

In South Korea, military service is obligatory for nearly all able-bodied men, requiring them to serve in the army for 18 months before reaching the age of 28.

However, South Korean law permits men who excel in sports, popular culture, art, or higher education to postpone their military service until the age of 30.

This legal provision has had a significant impact on the careers of some of the nation's most prominent figures, including the global music sensation BTS. Currently, three BTS members are fulfilling their military service obligations, with Suga, one of the band's members, having commenced his service on September 22.