SEOUL, South Korea — Suga, a member of K-pop supergroup BTS, on Friday became the band’s third member to begin compulsory military duties.
In a post on the online platform Weverse, the 30-year-old singer told fans he would be back in two years.
“I’ll faithfully serve and come back… Please stay healthy and let’s meet all again in 2025!” Suga wrote in his message.
Big Hit Music, the group’s management agency, later said Suga began commuting to a workplace assigned by South Korea’s alternative military service system, The Associated Press said.
South Korea requires all able-bodied men to serve 18 to 21 months in the army by the time they turn 28. Suga, whose real name is Min Yoon-gi, ended a delay in his enlistment in August. He follows fellow bandmembers Jin and J-Hope into service.
South Korea technically remains at war with North Korea. Jin, the oldest and first to go in December 2022, was assigned to a front-line boot camp, the BBC said. J-Hope followed in April, reporting to a camp near Seoul.
Suga has been “ruled unfit for the regular combat duty and will serve as a social service agent,” the BBC reported, citing South Korea’s Yonhap news agency. Local media reported his alternative service was likely to be related to shoulder surgery that he underwent in 2020.
South Korean law grants exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers, if they are deemed to have enhanced the country’s prestige. K-pop singers aren’t eligible for the special dispensation, the AP said.
For a long time, though, there were rumors the government might grant an exception to the members of BTS on the basis they had already served their country by bringing in billions of dollars, and it would be more beneficial to allow them to carry on doing so. But last October, all seven members said they were all planning to enlist.
When J-Hope reported, soldiers and police officers were mobilized at the base to keep order when dozens of fans arrived in buses to offer support.
In a statement earlier this week, Bit Hit Music asked Suga fans to refrain from visiting the singer at his workplace during the period of his service.
“Please convey your warm regards and encouragement in your hearts only,” Big Hit Music said. “We ask for your continued love and support for (Suga) until he completes his service and returns.”
