Rapper Suga was the last to return from mandatory conscription in South Korea; he completed his duties in an alternative capacity, as a social service agent.
Rapper Suga, one of the seven members of the K-pop phenomenon BTS, was discharged from mandatory military service in South Korea on Wednesday (18). The artist is the last to return from enlistment and, with that, everyone is now free to dedicate themselves to music.
BTS’ management agency, Big Hit Entertainment, confirmed that the singer completed his duties in an alternative way, as a social service agent. The official discharge date is Saturday (21). Due to concerns about overcrowding, the agency will not hold any events.
The occasion is a memorable one for the group’s fans. Last week, superstars RM and V were discharged from the South Korean military after completing their mandatory service. Jimin and Jungkook were discharged a day later. All four were due to be enlisted in December 2023.
Suga was the only one to serve as a social service officer, while the other six members of the group served in the military. Jin, the oldest member of BTS, ended his activities in June 2024, while J-Hope was discharged in October of the same year.
In South Korea, men between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to serve between 18 and 21 months of military service, as part of a conscription system designed to defend against possible aggression from North Korea.
The law allows exemptions for athletes, classical musicians and award-winning dancers who contribute significantly to national prestige. K-pop stars, however, do not fall into these categories.
In 2020, BTS managed to postpone their enlistment until they were 30 years old, following an amendment to the Military Service Law passed by the National Assembly. Despite a public debate over whether special exemptions should be offered to the singers, in October 2022 they announced that they would fulfill their obligations.
