Suga, the talented rapper and songwriter of the internationally acclaimed K-pop band BTS, has officially concluded his mandatory military service in South Korea, marking the triumphant return of all seven BTS members from their enlistment commitments. His label has verified that Suga wrapped up his alternative service duties on Wednesday, following the exhaustion of his accrued leave, with his official discharge ceremony set for Saturday.
Big Hit Entertainment, BTS's management agency, had earlier announced that no grand celebrations were planned for Suga's release due to concerns over potential overcrowding, reflecting a thoughtful consideration for public safety and order.
For the legions of BTS fans worldwide, this is indeed a landmark event. With all members having completed their service, the seven singers of this iconic K-pop band are poised to reunite as a group sometime in 2025, renewing the excitement and anticipation of their millions of followers.
Last week, fellow BTS superstars RM and V were also discharged from military service after fulfilling their mandatory duties. Jimin and Jung Kook followed suit a day later, with all four having enlisted in December 2023. Out of the seven members, six served in the army, while Suga, due to his specific circumstances, fulfilled his service as a social service agent, an alternative path recognized by the South Korean military.
Jin, the eldest member of BTS, was discharged in June 2024, while J-Hope was released in October of the same year. In South Korea, all physically fit males aged 18 to 28 are legally required to complete 18 to 21 months of military service, a conscription system aimed at deterring aggression from neighboring North Korea.
While athletes, classical and traditional musicians, ballet dancers, and others who have garnered top prizes in specific competitions and are deemed to have enhanced national prestige enjoy special exemptions, K-pop stars and other entertainers are not afforded such privileges. However, in 2020, following a revision to the Military Service Act by South Korea's National Assembly, BTS was granted the option to postpone their service until the age of 30.
In 2022, a fiery public debate erupted over whether BTS members should be granted special exemptions from mandatory military service. The group's management agency, in a move to quell the controversy, announced in October 2022 that all seven members would fulfill their duties, demonstrating their commitment to serving their country alongside their fellow citizens.
