Suga, a rapper and songwriter in the global K-pop sensation BTS, has been discharged from South Korea’s mandatory military service, marking the official return of all seven members from their enlistment duties.
The label confirmed that Suga completed his alternative service duties on Wednesday after using up his remaining leave. His official discharge date is Saturday.
BTS’s management agency, Big Hit Entertainment, had said earlier that no events were planned for Suga’s release, out of concern for overcrowding.
It is a momentous occasion for fans of the K-pop group, which soared to international success in 2018 when it became the first South Korean group to reach No. 1 on the U.S. albums chart.
The group is known for hits such as Butter and Dynamite, which was the first K-pop track to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
The seven singers of the band plan to reunite as a group sometime in 2025, now that they’ve finished their service. They originally announced a break from group activities in 2022.
Last week, members RM and V were discharged from South Korea’s military after fulfilling their mandatory service. Jimin and Jung Kook were discharged a day later, and hundreds of fans — ironically known as ARMY — gathered to catch a glimpse. All four were enlisted in December 2023.
Six of the group’s seven members served in the army, while Suga fulfilled his duty as a social service agent, an alternative form of military service.
Jin, the oldest BTS member, was discharged in June 2024. J-Hope was discharged in October.
Mandatory service includes K-pop stars
In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea.
Exemptions may be given out for medical reasons, but the law also gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren’t subject to such privileges.
However, in 2020, BTS postponed their service until age 30, after South Korea’s National Assembly revised its Military Service Act, allowing K-pop stars to delay their enlistment until age 30.
There was heated public debate in 2022 over whether to offer special exemptions of mandatory military service for the massively popular BTS members, until the group’s management agency announced in October 2022 that all seven members would fulfill their duties.