The military enlistment date of popular K-pop idol group BTS’ Suga has been announced.

Big Hit Music revealed on Sept. 17 that Suga will be enlisting in the military on Sept. 22 Friday.

“Thank you for your continued support for BTS. We have further information regarding Suga’s military service. Suga will be beginning his required service on September 22,” Big Hit Music said.

BTS' Suga (X)

Suga will be serving as a social worker, or social service personnel, an alternative form of military service, Korean media reported, which added that this could be due to a surgery he underwent in 2020.

Under the Korean law Military Service Act, social service personnel are "called up to serve in a field of public interest to support social service duties, administrative duties, etc. related to social welfare, hygiene, medical service, education, culture, environment, safety, etc. or to foster arts and sports, or for international cooperation, which are necessary for the following agencies, etc. serving public interest:"

In the announcement, Big Hit Music asked fans not to visit Suga at his workplace, usually a government agency where he will be assigned related to his social worker duties.

“There will not be any official events taking place on the day he starts his service or on the day he enters the training camp. We kindly ask fans to refrain from visiting Suga at his workplace during the period of his service. Please convey your warm regards and encouragement in your hearts only,” the agency said.

Suga underwent surgery for his torn shoulder tissue on Nov. 3, 2020.

At the time, Big Hit Music said, “Suga underwent surgery to repair his torn shoulder labrum on November 3. The surgery, to address a problem that had constantly been a health and wellness issue for Suga, was completed successfully and he is currently resting and recovering following his physician's advice that Suga must undergo a strict and unhindered period of recovery.”

“As many fans know, Suga has long suffered from shoulder-related health issues. Suga's shoulder issues began when he was injured in an accident that occurred in 2012 before his debut, and he was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder in 2013,” the agency said.

It added, “Shoulder pains continued until he was further diagnosed in 2019 with ‘posterior labral tear of his left shoulder,’ which means that the cartilage around his left shoulder joint has been torn. Since then, he has continued to receive various treatment to prevent his injury from affecting his activities.”

In the latest announcement, Big Hit Music warned “please be mindful to avoid getting adversely affected by unauthorized tours or package products that illegally use the artist’s intellectual property. Our company will take appropriate measures against attempts at any commercial activity that make unauthorized use of artist IP.”

“We ask for your continued love and support for SUGA until he completes his service and returns. Our company will also strive to provide all the support he needs during this time,” it said.

Suga is the third member of BTS to fulfill military service, a mandatory duty for all Korean men.

Jin enlisted on Dec. 13, 2022 and will be discharged on June 12, 2024. J-Hope started his service on April 18 this year and will be discharged on Oct. 17, 2024.

Last Aug. 7, Big Hit Music said that “Suga has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement. We will inform you of further updates in due course.”

Under a law, all BTS members were granted the privilege to postpone their military enlistment until age 30. All Korean men must enlist by age 28.

In 2021, all the members applied last year to postpone their military service based on a new law revising Korea’s Military Service Act promulgated on Dec. 22, 2020, which allows outstanding pop culture artists like BTS to postpone the start of their military service until they reach 30 years old.

The law took effect on June 23, 2021 and specifies that artists who are qualified for the privilege are those who are recipients of cultural medals and recommended by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST).

BTS members were bestowed the Hwagwan (Flower Crown) Order of Cultural Merit in October 2018 for their contribution to spreading Hallyu, or Korean Wave, around the world.

They applied for the postponement of their military service and were recommended by the culture ministry.

Suga will serve for 21 months and is expected to be discharged on June 21, 2025.