The year 2024 brought a lot of bittersweet moments for fans of a lot of popular Korean actors and K-pop idols.
As we welcome BTS members Jin and Nam Joo-hyuk after being discharged from the military, we also have to temporarily bid goodbye to other South Korean heartthrobs as it's their turn to do their duties.
As reported by the news website Korean Herald, all-abled South Korean men aged 18 to 35 must fulfill their mandatory military service and will serve a minimum of one year and six months depending on their branch of the military.
Last September 26, it was confirmed that NCT heartthrob Jaehyun will be taking a temporary break from his commitment as a K-pop idol since he will be enlisting in the military in November.
Meanwhile, actor Song Kang, dubbed by his fans as the 'Son of Netflix' wrote a heartfelt letter dedicated to his fans before entering the military.
In the letter, Kang assured his supporters that he would return soon.
He wrote, “Lately I've been writing gratitude notes before I go to bed. There are so many things that I feel grateful to SONGPYEON for.
“I am so thankful that SONGPYEON filled my 20s with meaningful times including birthdays, anniversaries, fan meetings, etc.
“I won't be by your side for a while, but time will return quickly.”
Here are the other Korean actors and idols who started their military enlistment this 2024 in this gallery.
Many K-drama fans will be missing seeing the cute smile and undeniable charm of Song Kang, since he started serving in the military in April 2024.
Kang has a long list of drama and romantic series under his belt namely: 'My Demon,' 'Love Alarm,' 'Nevertheless,' 'Forecasting Love and Weather,' and 'Sweet Home.'
Bedimpled heartthrob Kim Min-gue (or Kim Min-kyu) also began his military enlistment in April just like Song Kang. Min-gue caught the attention of K-drama fans for his performance as secretary Cha Sung-hoon in 'Business Proposal.' He also played the male lead in the romantic-fantasy series 'Heavenly Idol.'
SM Entertainment declared in March 2024 that NCT's Taeyong will be enlisting in the Navy on April 15.
He is the first member of NCT to fulfill his military service.
Kim Woo-seok who debuted as a member of the idol group UP10TION will take a break from his activities as an actor after his agency BLITZWAY STUDIOS announced that he will be part of the Army Band and begin his duty as an active soldier starting November 4, 2024.
RUis, the fandom of the idol group WEi, will be patiently waiting for the return of Jang Dae Hyeon, who already confirmed his plans to enter the South Korean military before the end of 2024.
Based on a statement from his agency OUI Entertainment, Dae Hyeon's participation in WEi activities will be limited in the coming months.
The statement reads, “We are letting you know that WEi member Jang Dae Hyeon is currently preparing to fulfill his military duty in the second half of 2024.
“Accordingly, while Jang Dae Hyeon will have no problem participating in WEi's upcoming schedule, including their digital single “LOVE2YOU' fan signing event and their Japanese release events, starting in October, his participation will be limited to predetermined activities.
“We will make a separate announcement regarding the specifics of Jang Dae Hyeon's military enlistment at a later time.”
SEVENTEEN's Jeonghan also joined the list of Korean actors and singers entering the military in September.
Meanwhile, S. Coups is already exempted from military service, after he sustained a knee injury in 2023.
Music label, PLEDIS Entertainment shared some details about this development last March.
They said, “Due to a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee joint, S.Coups underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery and anterolateral ligament reconstruction surgery. Because it was a major surgery, he has been undergoing physical rehabilitation therapy for a long time, starting from last year up until now.”
Former 'NU'EST' member Kim Jong-hyeon started his military enlistment on September 23, 2024, based on the confirmation of his agency EVERMORE Entertainment.
Aside from Kim Jong-hyeon, his fellow NU'EST member Ren started his military service as a social service officer last September 26 according to his agency Big Planet Made Entertainment.
iKON's Bobby also began his duty as an active soldier last June. iKON was previously managed by YG Entertainment, but in December 2022, the boy group and the agency mutually agreed to end the contract.
Now, the group is under the management of 143 Entertainment.
The fashionable and always trendy Jaehyun of NCT will temporarily be trading off his stylish look for a military uniform, when he starts his duty as an active South Korean soldier beginning November 4.