Suga, a member of K-pop boy group BTS, attends the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023 in Seoul, South Korea July 26, 2023. Photo by Reuters
K-pop star Suga, songwriter and rapper of supergroup BTS, has begun the process of enlisting for mandatory military service, the group’s record label announced on Monday, making him the third member of the group to leave for perform military service.
“We would like to inform our fans that SUGA has initiated the military enlistment process by requesting the termination of his enlistment deferral,” Big Hit Music said in a statement.
All able-bodied South Korean males between the ages of 18 and 28 must serve in the military for approximately two years.
Under a 2019 law review, globally recognized K-pop stars were allowed to defer service until they turned 30. Parliament is currently debating a new amendment that would allow K-pop stars to undergo only three weeks of military training.
In April, J-Hope, another Grammy-nominated BTS member, began his mandatory military service, following Jin, the eldest, who joined the military in December.
“We ask for your continued love and support for SUGA until he completes his military service and returns safely,” the label said.
Suga took his first solo world tour earlier this year, leading his YouTube talk show.
