For those who are starting to stan Korean celebrities, one thing you must know about the industry is that these male celebrities aren't exempted from South Korea's mandatory military service.
In the country of oppas, able-bodied male citizens between the ages of 18 to 35 are required to enlist in the military and serve their country. K-pop idols aren't exempted from the law but are given until the age of 30 to defer their service. The military service lasts for 18 months or more than a year.
Through the years, K-pop fans have temporarily said their goodbyes to their favorite K-pop idols and have also given them a warm welcome upon their return. This year, the list of celebrities enlisting is getting longer and longer. Check who they are below.
BTS' rapper and ultimate fashionista J-Hope is following in the footsteps of his fellow member Jin in fulfilling his mandatory military service. In an announcement made by BigHit Music, they shared, “We would like to inform our fans that j-hope has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement.”
Korean actor Nam Joo-hyuk, famous for his K-dramas “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo,” “Twenty-Five Twenty-One,” and “Scarlet Heart Ryeo,” has enlisted in the military this 2023. In an announcement made by his agency SOOP, they shared, “It is true that Nam Joo Hyuk was accepted into the military police force. He will be enlisting in the police squad on March 20.”
VICTON's Seungsik is also one of the famous Korean celebrities who will be enlisting in the military this 2023. Last January, Seungsik revealed the news on a Weverse live broadcast. He enlisted last March 22.
N.Flying's guitarist and self-proclaimed chef Cha Hun has also recently enlisted in the military. In an announcement made by his agency FNC entertainment, they said, “Cha Hun will receive basic military training at the army training center on March 20 and fulfill his military obligations in the military band.”
Golden Child's Y also adds to the list of K-pop idols enlisting in the military this year. Like Cha Hun, Nam Joo-hyuk, and Seungsik, Y entered the military last March 20.
WINNER's Song Mino also enlisted in the military last March 24, 2023. In a heartfelt letter to his fans, he said, “For the time we cannot meet, I will think lots about what kind of positive influence and deeper love I can give more of in your lives and come back more matured. I will greet you again with a cool image the day I return.”
N.Flying's singer-songwriter and bassist Seo Dong-sung is also enlisting for the military this May. In a statement made by his agency, they shared, “Seo Dong Sung will fulfill his national duty and enlist in the military on May 8. There will be no separate official event on the day of enlistment to minimize crowding on site.”
Korean singer and actor Ong Seong Wu, famous for his role in K-dramas such as “More Than Friends,” “20th Century Girl,” and “At Eighteen,” is set to begin his military training in April. In an announcement made by his agency Fantagio, they shared, “Ong Seong Wu will begin basic military training on April 17 (Monday) at the recruit training center and then carry out his military service as an active duty soldier of the army.”
UP10TION's Kogyeol is also set to enlist in the military this April 10. In an announcement made by his agency TOP Media, they shared, “UP10TION's Kogyeol will be enlisting for military service on April 10. After receiving basic military training at the training center, Kogyeol will fulfill his national duty.”
MONSTA X's Minhyuk is set to enlist in the military this April 4. On his fan cafe, he shared a heartfelt letter to his fans and said, “I feel like our Monbebe (MONSTA X's fan club) came in to this post already feeling sad after seeing the words 'this is Minhyuk' so I feel apologetic. On April 4, for my national duty, I won't be able to see you all often for a very short period of time.”
UP10TION member Kuhn is also enlisting for the military on March 27. In an announcement made by his agency TOP Media, they shared, “UP10TION's Kuhn will be enlisting for military service on March 27. After receiving basic military training at the training center, Kuhn will fulfill his national duty.”
SF9's lead vocalist and dancer Lee Jae-yoon enlisted in the military last March 21. In an announcement made by his agency FNC Entertainment, they shared, “Jaeyoon will be enlisting as an active duty soldier in the 3rd Division of the Army on March 21. There will be no separate official event on the day of enlistment to minimize crowding on site.”
EXO's main dancer Kai surprised EXO-Ls with the sudden announcement of his mandatory military service enlistment. Due to a recent change in regulations of the Military Manpower Administration, Kai had to immediately enter the army recruit training center on May 11. He went on a livestream to personally comfort fans and ask them to patiently wait for his return.
GOT7's sub-vocalist and visuals Jinyoung also enlisted in the military last May 8. His fellow GOT7 members Jay B and Yugyeom were even spotted sending him off.
MONSTA X's Jooheon also recently announced his military enlistment plans and wrote a heartfelt handwritten letter to his Monbebes. According to the letter, Jooheon will enlist on July 24. He asked his Monbebes to patiently wait for his return.
MONSTA X member Kihyun officially confirmed his upcoming military enlistment by writing a heartfelt letter to their fandom, the MONBEBEs, which was reported by Soompi.
According to the Korean idol, he will be enlisting beginning August 22.
We will be seeing less of Korean actor Lee Do-hyun for a while after it was announced that 'The Glory' heartthrob will also begin his mandatory enlistment this August.
The agency Yuehua Entertainment, which manages Do-hyun's career, stated that the actor will start his enlistment on August 14.
They also made a request to his fans saying, “No separate official event will be held on the day of enlistment, and we ask fans to refrain from visiting as it is a private event that numerous military personnel and family members will be attending.
“Please send your warm support and encouragement to Lee Do Hyun who will return in good health after dutifully carrying out his military duties.”
On September 18, actor Kim Min-jae's agency YAMYAM Entertainment confirmed he is enlisting for the military.
On September 17, BIGHIT MUSIC announced that Suga would be enlisting on September
On October 12, DAWN personally shared through Instagram the news that he will be enlisting as a public service worker.
On November 14, MONSTA X's Hyungwon officially joined a military training center to begin basic training before his official service as an active duty soldier.
BTS's Kim Tae-hyung or V surprised everyone with an Instagram Story revealing his shaved head, days ahead of his enlistment on December 11, 2023.
V and fellow member Kim Jungkook were on a video call before their military enlistment. Jungkook enlisted on December 12, 2023.
Park Jimin enlisted in the military on December 12, 2023. He also showed off his shaved head a day before his enlistment.
The group leader Kim Nam-joon or RM also enlisted on December 11, 2023. He asked their fans to please restrain from visiting their military enlistment site.
As of December 2023, all BTS members are in the military. They are expected to reunite as a group in 2025.
EXO's Sehun announced he will be enlisting on December 21, 2023. He is the final EXO member to enlist.