BTS performed with a holographic Suga and fans have mixed feelings

BTS performed at the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards with a striking volumetric hologram of Suga standing in for the absent rapper. The tribute came during a period when Suga was recovering from shoulder surgery, and the technical feat drew plenty of attention from fans watching at home. Details on the performance, the technology behind the hologram, and the long-term effects of Suga’s injury follow.

MAMA

BTS opened their set with “Life Goes On,” and the hologram appeared through a virtual portal right before Suga’s verse. The figure stayed on stage with the other members until the song faded out. VIVE STUDIOS created the hologram through volumetric display, a process that records a performer from every angle to build a lifelike 3D avatar. BTS continued with “Dynamite” and “ON” without the hologram for the remainder of the show. The band collected four grand prizes that night, capping a strong run at the 2020 edition of the awards.

Suga’s surgery

Big Hit Entertainment stated that Suga had dealt with shoulder pain since a 2012 accident. Doctors diagnosed a dislocation in 2013 and later identified a posterior labral tear in his left shoulder in 2019. Suga underwent successful labrum repair surgery on November 3, 2020. In a statement released at the time he apologized to fans, thanked them for their support, and noted that three of four hospitals had recommended the procedure after years of rehabilitation and injections failed to stop the pain from returning during performances. The injury later shaped his military service path and recovery timeline.

Suga's Military Service and Shoulder Impact

The 2020 surgery directly affected Suga’s military obligations. Because of the documented shoulder condition, he served as a social service agent rather than in active duty. He completed that service on June 21, 2025, becoming the final BTS member to finish his required term.

BTS Full Group Return in 2026

With all members discharged, BTS reunited for their first award-show performance in four years at the 2026 American Music Awards. The group performed together and won Artist of the Year, marking a full-circle moment after the extended break caused by individual service commitments.

Long-Term Recovery and Fan Reactions

Post-discharge coverage noted Suga’s healthier muscular build and faster upper-body recovery compared with some of his bandmates. ARMY observers and fellow members commented on the visible change in his physique, attributing the improvement to consistent training during service and the resolution of the long-standing shoulder issue.

Hologram Technology in K-Pop Performances

The 2020 MAMA appearance established a benchmark for volumetric holograms in major K-pop shows. The effect relied on a prior 360-degree recording that allowed Suga’s solo verse to feel integrated with the live members. Similar techniques have since appeared at other large-scale events when scheduling or health constraints prevent full attendance.

The 2020 hologram moment captured both the ingenuity of the production team and the concern fans felt for Suga’s health. Years later, the same shoulder injury that kept him off that stage shaped his military path and eventual return to full group activities. BTS’s 2026 performance showed how far the members had come, and the technology that once stood in for Suga now serves as a footnote in a longer story of recovery and reunion.