Suga Becomes Final Member to Complete Service
It’s a moment ARMY has waited years for—Suga, the final member of BTS, has officially been discharged from South Korea’s mandatory military service, marking the end of an era of individual enlistments for the world’s biggest K-pop group. The 31-year-old rapper and producer, who served as a social service agent due to a prior shoulder injury, was released quietly over the weekend with no public fanfare, in part to avoid overcrowding and safety concerns.
Suga’s discharge comes after a staggered enlistment process that began in 2022 and allowed BTS to pursue solo projects while fulfilling national duties. Fellow members RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook were discharged earlier this month, while Jin and J-Hope completed their service in 2023. For the first time in nearly two years, all seven members are now free to regroup—and fans around the world are already buzzing about what comes next.
Although no official reunion date has been set, the timing has fueled intense speculation across fan forums and social media. BTS’s management company, HYBE, has previously hinted at a full-group comeback sometime in 2025, but Suga’s release has many wondering if things may move faster. For now, the silence is only amplifying anticipation.
From Global Superstars to Soldiers and Back
BTS’s military journey has been closely followed, not just by fans but by an entire nation. Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men between 18 and 28 must serve 18 to 21 months in the military—a policy aimed at deterring aggression from North Korea. Though some athletes and artists can receive exemptions, K-pop idols are not automatically eligible. In fact, the debate over whether BTS should be granted a pass sparked national controversy and even legislative discussion in 2022.
Ultimately, the group chose not to seek exemption. Instead, members postponed their enlistment under a revised Military Service Act that allowed them to delay until age 30. Each member entered service on their own timeline, and with strategic planning, BTS maintained visibility throughout their hiatus via solo music, tours, and collaborations. It was a calculated and disciplined move—one that echoed the work ethic that made them a global phenomenon.
Suga, who released his critically acclaimed solo album D-Day in 2023 under the name Agust D, remained active musically even during his military tenure. But he also found himself in headlines for more personal reasons—following his discharge, he addressed fans on Weverse and publicly apologized for a 2023 incident in which he was fined for drunk driving on an electric scooter. “I am deeply sorry,” he wrote. “I truly regret that I have disappointed many fans and many people. I will sincerely participate in the investigation.”
Global Stage Awaits Their Return
With the full group officially out of uniform, the countdown to a BTS reunion has begun in earnest. The group, whose name translates to “Bulletproof Boy Scouts,” debuted in 2013 and rose to global fame with their 2016 album Wings. By 2017, their single DNA landed them on the Billboard Hot 100, and in 2020, they made history again with Dynamite—the first all-English track by a Korean act to debut at number one in the U.S.
Since then, BTS has shattered global streaming records, sold out stadium tours, and racked up five Grammy nominations, including a groundbreaking nod for Dynamite in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category. Even during their military hiatus, individual members stayed in the spotlight through high-profile solo releases, endorsements, and global appearances. But fans have always made one thing clear: BTS is at its most powerful when the seven are together.
Now, with no more enlistments on the horizon, the group stands on the edge of a new chapter—one that promises to be just as monumental as the last. Whether the reunion comes in the form of a surprise drop, a world tour, or something entirely unexpected, one thing is certain: BTS is back. And the world is watching.