Will Suga serve in the military? BTS member initiates military enlistment process following his solo debut world tour
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: K-pop icon and BTS member Suga, renowned for his roles as a rapper, singer, and songwriter, has taken the first step to enlist and begin his mandatory military service. He is the third member of the group to do so, following Jin and J-Hope. Following his successful debut solo world tour, earlier this year, Suga's decision marks a significant milestone for the artist.
The news was shared by Big Hit Music, the management agency for BTS, in an official statement. The statement conveyed, "We would like to inform our fans that SUGA has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement." The agency expressed gratitude for continued support and pledged unwavering assistance during Suga's service period.
South Korea's mandatory military service
In South Korea, all able-bodied men, aged 18 to 28, are required by law to fulfill 18-21 months of military service, designed as a safeguard against potential threats from North Korea. While certain fields, such as athletics and classical arts, can be exempted if individuals have achieved national recognition through prestigious competitions, K-pop artists are not entitled to such privileges. BTS had initially postponed their military service until the age of 30, following a revision of South Korea's Military Service Act in 2020.
The issue of special exemptions for BTS members sparked a public debate in 2022. Ultimately, BTS's management agency announced in October that all seven members of the group would fulfill their military duties. BTS's eldest member, Jin, initiated his military service at age 30 in December 2022, followed by J-Hope in April 2023. Suga's decision to begin his military service arrives shortly after the conclusion of his Agust D-DAY tour, which supported his solo album, D-DAY, released under the stage name Agust D.
'I started crying from then'
The Asian leg of the tour concluded with a series of three concerts at Seoul's KSPO Dome from August 4 to 6.
Suga's emotional farewell to fans during his Weverse live chat following the tour hinted at his upcoming enlistment. Reflecting on the past decade, he shared, I think I had a fun tour the last couple of months. I really don’t cry,” he said before reflecting on the last decade. “Those past 10 years went by like a film. I started crying from then.”
As his live chat came to an end, he seemed to hint at his upcoming enlistment, though he did not specifically talk about it. “I think it’s a lie if I say ‘soon,'” he told viewers. “Let’s see each other in 2025, OK? Please wait a little bit,” he concluded in his message to ARMY. “2025. See you then!”
Big Hit Music had previously announced that BTS would not perform as a full group until 2025 due to individual members' military service commitments. Four more members are expected to announce their enlistment after Suga, namely RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook. The group is slated to 'reunite' by 2025 after they have all completed their military service.
