All 7 BTS members back as Suga is discharged from an alternative form of military service
Suga, a rapper and songwriter in the global K-pop sensation BTS, has been discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service, marking the official return of all seven members from their enlistment duties.
The label confirmed that Suga completed his alternative service duties on Wednesday (Jun 18) after using up his remaining leave. His official discharge date is Saturday.
BTS' management agency, Big Hit Entertainment, had said earlier that no events were planned for Suga's release out of concern for overcrowding.
It is a momentous occasion for fans of the K-pop group BTS. The seven singers of the popular K-pop band plan to reunite as a group sometime in 2025 now that they've finished their service.
Last week, BTS superstars RM and V were discharged from South Korea's military after fulfilling their mandatory service. Jimin and Jungkook were discharged a day later. All four were enlisted in December 2023.
Six of the group's seven members served in the army, while Suga fulfilled his duty as a social service agent, an alternative form of military service.
Jin, the oldest BTS member, was discharged in June 2024. J-Hope was discharged in October.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea.
The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren't subject to such privileges.
However, in 2020, BTS postponed their service until age 30 after South Korea's National Assembly revised its Military Service Act, allowing K-pop stars to delay their enlistment until age 30.
There was heated public debate in 2022 over whether to offer special exemptions of mandatory military service for BTS members, until the group's management agency announced in October 2023 that all seven members would fulfill their duties.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
17 minutes ago
- CNA
More people can take part in National Day celebrations at Promontory @ Marina Bay
More Singaporeans will take part in the National Day celebrations at the Promontory @ Marina Bay. This is because of an additional preview show this year. Up to 20,000 attendees are expected to turn up for the two preview shows and on National Day. For the first time, the live show at the Padang will be expanded to Marina Bay.
CNA
6 hours ago
- CNA
All 7 BTS members back as Suga is discharged from an alternative form of military service
Suga, a rapper and songwriter in the global K-pop sensation BTS, has been discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service, marking the official return of all seven members from their enlistment duties. The label confirmed that Suga completed his alternative service duties on Wednesday (Jun 18) after using up his remaining leave. His official discharge date is Saturday. BTS' management agency, Big Hit Entertainment, had said earlier that no events were planned for Suga's release out of concern for overcrowding. It is a momentous occasion for fans of the K-pop group BTS. The seven singers of the popular K-pop band plan to reunite as a group sometime in 2025 now that they've finished their service. Last week, BTS superstars RM and V were discharged from South Korea's military after fulfilling their mandatory service. Jimin and Jungkook were discharged a day later. All four were enlisted in December 2023. Six of the group's seven members served in the army, while Suga fulfilled his duty as a social service agent, an alternative form of military service. Jin, the oldest BTS member, was discharged in June 2024. J-Hope was discharged in October. In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea. The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren't subject to such privileges. However, in 2020, BTS postponed their service until age 30 after South Korea's National Assembly revised its Military Service Act, allowing K-pop stars to delay their enlistment until age 30. There was heated public debate in 2022 over whether to offer special exemptions of mandatory military service for BTS members, until the group's management agency announced in October 2023 that all seven members would fulfill their duties.
CNA
10 hours ago
- CNA
Singapore bans Wild Rice performance Homepar for undermining anti-drug policy and public confidence in CNB
SINGAPORE: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said on Friday (Jun 20) it had banned a performance by theatre company Wild Rice for undermining anti-drug policy and public confidence in the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). A revised script for a dramatised reading, titled Homepar, was submitted on Jun 5, with IMDA assessing it to be in breach of the Arts Entertainment Classification Code (AECC). This was done in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), it added. IMDA noted that the revised script had "substantially changed" from the version that was submitted on Apr 21. "The new material depicts and glamorises drug abuse and portrays an undercover CNB officer shielding abusers from detection," it said. "It undermines Singapore's anti-drug policy, our drug rehabilitation regime, and public confidence in the CNB. Performances that undermine Singapore's national interest are not permitted under the AECC." IMDA said it had previously informed Wild Rice that the earlier script submitted met classification requirements and could be staged under an R18 rating. "However, Wild Rice has chosen not to revert to that version," the authority added. "Consequently, IMDA has disallowed the performance in its current form." IMDA reiterated that Singapore's firm stance against drugs remains unchanged, and it will continue to uphold the AECC to "protect national interest". According to a synopsis on the Wild Rice website, Homepar - a reference to house parties in the gay party scene - is about a protagonist who hosts one such party to "power through a tough break-up and celebrate their evolving gender identity".
