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Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Suga is last member of K-pop mega-band BTS to finish military service
Suga is last member of K-pop mega-band BTS to finish military service SEOUL - Suga, a member of the K-pop mega-band BTS, officially completed his mandatory military service on June 21, marking the full return of all seven members of the global supergroup from duty. South Korea's most lucrative musical act have been on a self-described 'hiatus' since 2022. The members undertook the mandatory service required of all South Korean men under 30 due to tensions with the nuclear-armed North. Suga, 32, was the last to complete his service, ahead of the group's widely anticipated return to activities as a full unit. His final day concluded at 11.59.59pm local time (10.59.59pm Singapore time), according to the band's agency Hybe and South Korea's Military Manpower Administration. The rapper, who served as a social service agent - an alternative form of military duty - effectively completed his service on June 18 after using up his remaining leave, according to his label. 'Above all else, I wanted to.... sincerely thank our fans who waited for me all this time,' Suga told the group's fans - collectively known as Army - on the platform Weverse. 'I've missed you so much.' Before entering military service, the megaband generated more than 5.5 trillion won (S$5.15 billion) in yearly economic impact, according to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute. Analysts expect Hybe's operating profit to jump in 2026, driven in part by BTS's anticipated return to large-scale touring, with some projections forecasting a 71 per cent year-on-year increase. 'The importance of BTS's reunion to Hybe, K-pop and South Korea at large cannot be overstated. They are singular in their part of the Korean Wave,' Dr Grace Kao, a sociology professor at Yale University, told AFP. 'I think their next tour will be their biggest yet.' Since their recent release, band leader RM has appeared at Art Basel in Switzerland as the new global ambassador for Samsung's Art TV, while member V was spotted attending a piano recital in Seoul alongside Oldboy (2003) filmmaker Park Chan-wook. Soft power BTS have long been considered one of the best examples of South Korea's soft power reach, even making a White House visit in the United States in 2022. They have spoken candidly about mental health and anti-Asian crime and donated US$1 million (S$1.29 million) to the Black Lives Matter movement in 2019, inspiring fans to contribute the same amount. K-pop's surging popularity has also helped break down barriers for Asian artistes, said Dr Keung Yoon Bae, a Korean studies professor at Georgia Institute of Technology. 'Singers such as Eric Nam, born and raised in Atlanta, have discussed before how they had to go to Korea because they felt that attaining a music career in the US as an Asian felt impossible,' she said. 'Today, groups such as BTS and Blackpink seem to be breaking down that sense of impossibility.' Despite the widespread acclaim, Suga was fined 15 million won for driving an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol in 2024. On June 21, the rapper, whose real name is Min Yoon-gi, once again apologised for the incident in a message posted 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 said. 'I'll do my best to repay the love you've given me - now more than ever.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


eNCA
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Last member of K-pop megaband BTS to finish military service
SEOUL - SUGA, a member of the K-pop megaband BTS, will officially complete his mandatory military service on Saturday, marking the full return of all seven members of the global supergroup from duty. South Korea's most lucrative musical act has been on a self-described "hiatus" since 2022 as its members undertook the mandatory service required of all South Korean men under 30 due to tensions with the nuclear-armed North. SUGA will be the last to complete his service, ahead of the group's widely anticipated return to activities as a full unit. His final day concludes at 11:59:59 pm, according to the band's agency HYBE and South Korea's Military Manpower Administration. The rapper, who served as a social service agent -- an alternative form of military duty -- effectively completed his service on Wednesday after using up his remaining leave, according to his label. "Above all else, I wanted to .... sincerely thank our fans who waited for me all this time," SUGA told the group's fans -- collectively known as ARMY -- on the platform Weverse. "I've missed you so much." Before entering military service, the megaband generated more than 5.5 trillion won ($4 billion) in yearly economic impact, according to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute. Analysts expect HYBE's operating profit to jump next year, driven in part by BTS's anticipated return to large-scale touring, with some projections forecasting a 71 percent year-on-year increase. "The importance of BTS's reunion to HYBE, K-pop and South Korea at large cannot be overstated. They are singular in their part of the Korean Wave," Grace Kao, a sociology professor at Yale University, told AFP. "I think their next tour will be their biggest yet."


Pink Villa
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Will SUGA have military discharge ceremony like RM, Jin, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook? All we know about BTS reunion
BTS member SUGA is all set to complete his mandatory military duty on June 21, making him the seventh and final one from the group to do so. Following this, the rapper will not have to return for his alternative work, which was awarded to him as part of the social service enlistment arm of ROK military enlistment laws. A Military Manpower Administration exam resulted in this type of service, which would entail 21 months of work in areas like welfare centers, community service centers, or post offices. SUGA's alternative service BTS members RM, Jin, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook served as active duty soldiers in the military, having to enlist for 18 months. Meanwhile, the second oldest, SUGA, received a grade 4 in his physical exam, which is held before his military enlistment. It meant he had to opt for an alternative service. It is believed that the level was given owing to his shoulder injury, for which the rapper has previously undergone surgery, even taking a break from official promotions. Post his discharge, it is said that the singer will reunite with his bandmates. A livestream is expected from the seven, which J-Hope has previously hinted at via an undisclosed Killin' It Girl promotional schedule planned for June 21. It is likely that no separate discharge ceremony will be held for the Daechwita singer, and he will only stop logging in to his workplace where he had been assigned to work for the past 1 year and 9 months. Most recently, all members of the group were present in the audience on their debut anniversary concert of J-Hope's HOPE ON THE STAGE World Tour. It came to an end with final encore concerts on June 13 and 14 in Goyang, attended by over 50,000 BTS ARMY from around the globe. SUGA cheerfully waved at his fans when the camera panned to the members in the audience, alongside fellow bandmates. It marked the Haegeum singer's first public outing with the group since his enlistment on September 22, 2023, as well as his electric scooter DUI case, which happened on August 6, 2024. While he had been very lowkey ever since entering his military phase, SUGA went absolutely silent post the latter. BTS is expected to release a new album, as well as go on a world tour following the group's reunion on June 21, Saturday.


Pink Villa
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Why is ASTRO's JinJin exempt from military service? Fantagio reveals diagnosis amid Cha Eun Woo's band acceptance
ASTRO member JinJin's autoimmune disease diagnosis was revealed to the fans. In an update shared by the group's management agency, it was announced to fans that the leader of the team will not be enlisting for mandatory military service. An examination from South Korea's Military Manpower Administration, a body under the ROK's Military Defence, found him unfit for service, thereby exempting the singer from mandatory service. The update from Fantagio shared very little information about the diagnosis, however, it was clarified to fans that it does not affect the singer's regular functioning. Check out the full notice below. 'Hello, this is Fantagio. This is in regard to ASTRO member JinJin's military service status. JinJin has been judged unfit to serve in the military after a detailed medical examination by the Military Manpower Administration due to health issues related to an autoimmune condition. We would like to inform you that while he has been exempt from military service, his condition does not cause any problems in his daily life. He is required to visit the hospital regularly for checkups and to manage his health. According to a medical opinion, it would be difficult for him to enlist for military service, and hence, he has been granted an exemption from mandatory military duty. Above all, we will continue to support his activities as an artist, with his health as the top priority. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the fans for your constant love and support, and we kindly ask for your continued interest in JinJin's future work. Thank you.' Recently, it was revealed that singer and actor Cha Eun Woo, who is also a member of the K-pop group ASTRO, has decided to enlist for his own military service. After careful application and approval, he has been admitted to a special arm of the ROK military band. The True Beauty star is set to begin his compulsory service on July 28, making him the 2nd member from the JinJin-led team to enlist for service. Previously, the oldest member, MJ, completed his national duty, returning on November 8, 2023, after serving for 18 months, also in the military band.


Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
True Beauty star Cha Eun-woo enlists for military service, fans express heartfelt goodbyes: ‘wish him the best of luck'
Cha Eun-woo, one of South Korea's most sought-after actors, is preparing to step away from the spotlight for a while as he begins his mandatory military service. Fans across the globe are already feeling the bittersweet sting of his upcoming enlistment, which was officially confirmed by his agency Fantagio on May 29. Earlier this month, news broke that Cha Eun-woo, 28, had applied to join the Army Military Band, a role that perfectly aligns with his talents as both a singer and performer. Fantagio announced, 'Recently, Cha Eun Woo applied to join the Army Military Band and received a final acceptance notice from the Military Manpower Administration today. He will enter the training centre on July 28 and undergo basic military training before fulfilling his duty in the Army Military Band.' In an effort to protect the star and his fans, the agency also revealed that his enlistment will be a private affair. 'To prevent safety accidents due to congestion on the day of enlistment, the location and time of Cha Eun Woo's enlistment will be kept private, and there will be no separate events held,' they shared in a statement according to Soompi. The agency concluded with a heartfelt appeal to fans worldwide: 'We ask for your unsparing support and warm encouragement for Cha Eun Woo as he diligently fulfills his military duty and returns in good health.' A post shared by 차은우 (@eunwo.o_c) The news was met with an outpouring of love and sadness from fans on social media. One fan lamented on X, 'Ohhh noooo. I will miss seeing your pretty face in dramas.' Another expressed their unwavering support: 'I will surely miss you but we're rooting for you.' Others praised his sense of duty, with comments like, 'He will SERVE his country like he always does,' while some simply wished him well: 'Wishing him good luck.' One particularly thoughtful fan wrote, 'Hot take, but I'm happy that he's going now! He needs to go regardless, and it's better to get it over with so that he can fully focus on his career without any worries afterwards. I just checked his namu wiki and it seems like he already filmed (or is currently filming) a drama and a movie, so there will still new content over the next year and a half :') I wish the best of luck to him and hope he completes his service safely!' Even amidst the sadness, fans remained hopeful, sharing sentiments like, 'His visuals, singing, and acting will be missed and before I know it he'll be back in no time.' Cha Eun-woo's impressive career spans both music and acting. Best known for his memorable roles in hit dramas such as True Beauty and My ID is Gangnam Beauty, he has also made waves as a solo artist and variety show star. As fans prepare to say a temporary goodbye, they remain confident that Cha Eun-woo will return stronger and ready to captivate audiences once again. For now, his devoted supporters are rallying behind him, sending all their love.