Last Member of K-pop Megaband BTS Completes Military Service

AFP/APP

Seoul: SUGA, a member of the global K-pop sensation BTS, will officially complete his mandatory military service on Saturday, marking the full return of all seven members of the chart-topping group from duty.

The group has been on a self-declared hiatus since 2022, as its members undertook South Korea’s compulsory military service, a requirement for all able-bodied men under the age of 30 due to ongoing tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea.

SUGA, the final member to fulfill his service obligations, is set to conclude his term at 11:59:59 p.m., according to statements from BTS’s agency HYBE and the South Korean Military Manpower Administration.

The rapper served as a social service agent, an alternative form of military duty, and effectively completed his service on Wednesday after using up his remaining leave days, according to his label.

In a heartfelt message to fans—known globally as ARMY—SUGA expressed his gratitude on the fan platform Weverse:

“Above all else, I want to sincerely thank our fans who waited for me all this time,” he wrote. “I’ve missed you so much.”

Economic and Cultural Impact

Prior to their military enlistment, BTS generated over 5.5 trillion won ($4 billion) annually in economic impact, according to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute. With the group now poised for a full-scale return, analysts project a sharp increase in HYBE’s earnings. Some forecasts anticipate a 71% year-on-year rise in operating profit for the company, largely driven by BTS’s expected world tour and new music releases.

“The importance of BTS’s reunion to HYBE, K-pop, and South Korea at large cannot be overstated,” said Grace Kao, a sociology professor at Yale University. “They are singular in their role within the Korean Wave. I think their next tour will be their biggest yet.”

Since their official discharge last week, BTS leader RM has appeared at Art Basel in Switzerland as the global ambassador for Samsung’s Art TV, while member V was recently seen at a piano recital in Seoul, attending alongside acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook of Oldboy fame.

BTS and South Korea’s Soft Power

BTS has long been a symbol of South Korea’s global cultural influence, or “soft power.” In 2022, the group even visited the White House to meet with President Joe Biden as part of discussions on anti-Asian hate and youth representation.

Known for addressing pressing social issues, BTS has spoken openly about mental health and discrimination, and notably donated $1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020—an action that inspired fans to match the donation.

K-pop’s growing popularity has also opened doors for Asian artists worldwide.

“Singers like Eric Nam, who was born and raised in Atlanta, have spoken about how hard it was to break into the U.S. music industry as an Asian,” said Keung Yoon Bae, professor of Korean studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “But today, groups like BTS and Blackpink are breaking that barrier.”

A Note of Accountability

Despite his success, SUGA faced public scrutiny last year after being fined 15 million won ($10,933) for driving an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol. On Saturday, he addressed the incident in a public apology shared on Weverse.

“I’m sorry for the disappointment and concern I caused due to what happened last year. More than anything, knowing I caused pain to my fans broke my heart,” he wrote.

“I’ll do my best to repay the love you’ve given me—now more than ever.”

With all seven members now officially discharged, anticipation is building for BTS’s next chapter—one that is expected to reaffirm their place as cultural icons and global ambassadors of music, hope, and unity.