K-pop Star Begins Service Following Bandmates, Vows to Return in 2025

Courtesy of BigHit Music

Suga, a key member of the globally celebrated K-pop group BTS, commenced his compulsory military service as a social service agent on Friday, joining his fellow bandmates in fulfilling this national duty. At 30 years old, he becomes the third member of BTS to begin this chapter, following Jin in December 2022 and J-Hope in April this year.

Addressing their dedicated fan community on Weverse, Suga expressed gratitude for the support that brought him to this juncture and pledged to faithfully complete his duty. He conveyed warm wishes to fans and looked forward to reuniting with them in 2025, signing off with a reminder to take care in the chilly autumn weather.

Unlike some of his bandmates, Suga has been assigned to serve as a social service agent due to health considerations, specifically ruling out regular combat duty. While all able-bodied men in South Korea are mandated to serve in the military, health-related issues can lead to alternative service assignments, often involving office roles within municipal governments.

Though specific details regarding the decision about Suga's service were not disclosed, it is widely believed to be connected to a labrum repair surgery he underwent in 2020. To respect the public nature of Suga's service, BigHit Music, the group's agency, urged fans not to visit his place of duty.

In a notable development, Hybe, the parent company of BigHit Music, announced on Wednesday that all seven members of BTS have agreed to renew their exclusive contracts with the label, effective upon their return from military service, starting in 2025. This reaffirms the enduring commitment and collaboration between the band and their management, setting the stage for their collective future in the music industry.

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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com