BTS’ Suga Completes Military Service, Shares Heartfelt Message with Fans
BTS member Suga, also known by his real name Min Yoongi, has officially completed his mandatory military service as of June 21, 2025. His discharge marks a significant moment for the global superstar group, as he is the seventh and final member of BTS to fulfill his national duty.
Suga served as a social service agent, a role assigned to individuals who may have health conditions or other circumstances preventing active combat duty. This assignment was reportedly due to past health issues, including shoulder and ear surgeries. His service began on September 22, 2023, and concluded after approximately two years.
Notably, Suga’s discharge was a quiet affair, without the public ceremonies or press presence sometimes associated with military completions. This private departure from service aligns with his role outside of main military headquarters and potentially with Big Hit’s stated preference to avoid overcrowding risks.
A Long-Awaited Greeting to ARMY
Hours after returning to civilian life, Suga wasted no time in reconnecting with the dedicated BTS fanbase, known as ARMY. He penned and shared a heartfelt, emotional letter on the fan community platform, Weverse, expressing his long-awaited sentiments.
Opening his message, Suga wrote, “Hello everyone, it’s good to see you. This is Suga. It’s been about two years. How have you all been?” He conveyed his excitement for this day, stating it was one he had eagerly anticipated, and admitted he had pondered extensively on how best to greet fans after such a long separation.
His primary sentiment was one of deep gratitude: “First, above all else, I wanted to sincerely thank my fans for waiting for me until now. I really missed you.”
Reflection and Personal Growth
Suga also used his letter to reflect on the period of mandatory service, describing the past two years as a time for profound introspection. “I think that over the past two years, I took time to think about myself,” he shared.
He explained that the time away allowed him to temporarily distance himself and step back from the demanding work he had been immersed in for a long time. Prior to his service, he felt he had been constantly “racing forward without looking back on myself.” This period provided him with a crucial “opportunity to reflect on myself once again,” gaining new perspective.
Addressing Past Incident and Apology
In his message, Suga also addressed a past incident, referring to an electric scooter operation under the influence in Seoul in 2023 (sometimes reported as August 2024 in older articles, with the legal outcome in September 2024). He offered a renewed apology for the event that caused concern and disappointment.
“I apologize for disappointing you and giving you cause for concern through the incident from last year,” he wrote. Suga emphasized that what upset him most about the situation was the realization that he had “hurt the hearts of my fans.” Notably, he also extended his apologies to his fellow BTS members, acknowledging the difficulty and “heavy heart” the incident caused them.
Looking Towards the Future
Concluding his emotional note, Suga reaffirmed his love for his fans, stating, “I love you.” He also made a promise to stay connected, assuring ARMY, “Everyone, I’ll share updates with you often.”
Fan reactions to Suga’s letter were swift and overwhelmingly supportive. Hashtags like #SugaIsBack and #YoongiWelcomeBack trended globally, with ARMYs rushing to express their welcome and reassurance. Many fans stated he had nothing to apologize for and had not disappointed them, praising his kind heart. Special fan projects, including installations outside HYBE headquarters, also marked the celebratory atmosphere.
With all seven members of BTS now having completed their military obligations, anticipation is high for a future group reunion and return to performing. While Big Hit has stated there are no immediate plans for special events or a group reunion date announced yet, the completion of service for all members is a significant step toward BTS “rocking the stage” together again. Suga is also expected to make his first public appearances soon, with a live session from the HYBE office anticipated by fans.
