A day after his Agust D Tour ‘D-Day’ The Final concert in South Korea, BTS star Suga is now gearing up for his mandatory military service training, his label, BigHit Music announced.
“We would like to inform our fans that Suga has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement,” BigHit Music wrote in its statement on fan community WeVerse.
The label also asked ARMYs to continue extending their love and support for the idol.
The multi-hyphenated star will be the latest BTS member to serve his mandatory military training, following his bandmates Jin and J-Hope. Suga’s official enlistment date is yet to be announced by his company.
Jin enlisted on December 13, 2022 and is set to be discharged on June 12, 2024.
Meanwhile, J-Hope began his service on April 18 and will be discharged on October 17, 2024.
All able-bodied men in South Korea aged 18 to 28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service.
But in 2020, South Korea revised its Military Service Act to allow BTS and other outstanding pop culture artists to delay the start of their military service until the age of 30.
According to the said revision, artists who are recipients of cultural medals and recommended by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism are qualified for the privilege.
BTS members were awarded the Hwagwan (Flower Crown) Order of Cultural Merit in 2018 for their contribution to the Korean Wave worldwide.
Meanwhile, the drafting schedules of BTS members RM, Jimin, Jungkook, and V are yet to be announced.
ARMYs react
Fans had a bittersweet response following Suga’s enlistment announcement.
Some ARMYs went to X (formerly Twitter) to express their care and support for the BTS member.
“We love you Yoongi! We will wait for you always. Please be safe and take care of your health,” @LibrarianVP said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, there were also others who felt heartbroken over Suga’s mandatory military service drafting.
