K-pop fans are no stranger to idol military enlistments. All able-bodied South Korean men are obligated to serve in the military. And of course, even their favourite male idols are not exempted from military enlistments.
However, amidst the temporary absence of beloved K-pop idols, fans have been treated to some much-awaited good news. This year marks the anticipated discharges of several idols who completed their military service. From emotional reunions to long-awaited comebacks, fans are rejoicing as their favourite idols return to the stage and resume their activities in the industry.
SHINee’s Taemin
- Discharge date: 4th April
- The idol was initially enlisted as a member of the Korean military band. However, due to his deteriorating mental health condition, he was transferred to supplementary service, where he served as a public service worker.
- Taemin, along with the rest of the SHINee boys made their long-awaited comeback with their new album “Hard” in June.
VICTON’s Seungwoo
- Discharge date: 27th January
- The idol entered the Military Training Center in July 2021 and was deployed to serve in the Military Band.
- He will be coming back with his new mini album, “Frame” on 27th June.
EXO’s Baekhyun
- Discharge date: 5th February
- Baekhyun was assigned to be a social service agent instead of an active-duty soldier due to health concerns (hypothyroidism).
- The 31-year-old vocalist will be making his comeback with the rest of his fellow EXO members in July with their upcoming full album titled “Exist”.
Monsta X’s Shownu
- Discharge date: 21st April
- Shownu enlisted in July 2021 as a public service worker, due to health issues regarding his left eye.
- He was the first member of the six-piece act to fulfill his duty.
DAY6’s Young K, Wonpil & Dowoon
- Discharge dates: 11th April (Young K), 16th July (Dowoon), 28th November (Wonpil)
- Young K began his service in the Korean Augmentation to the US Army in October 2021. He was the first idol to enlist in the very selective branch.
- Wonpil was the first ever K-Pop idol to enlist in the Republic of Korea’s Navy.
- Dowoon enlisted in the military band. According to him, he decided to enlist early to minimise on the group’s hiatus.
ONF
- Discharge date: 26th June
- The five members of ONF made the headlines after revealing that they will be enlisting in the military together as a group on 28th December 2021.
- The group gained more fame while serving for the ARMY, as a video from their performance during a military-organised event went explosively viral on the internet.
Honourable mentions
Block B’s P.O
- Discharge date: 27th September 2023
- He enlisted as an active-duty soldier in the marine corps on 28th March 2022.
- P.O is the last member of Block B to enlist and discharged this year.
SF9’s Inseong & Youngbin
- Discharge dates: 20th September (Inseong), 28th September (Youngbin)
- Youngbin regularly posts snippets of his daily life in the army with his fellow member on his Instagram.
Golden Child’s Daeyeol
- Discharge date: 28th September
- He started his military enlistment back on 29th March 2022
- He was the first Golden Child member to enlist.
A.C.E’s Wow, Donghun. Jun & Byeongkwan
- Discharge dates: 9th June (Wow), 22nd June (Donghun), 6th August (Jun), 10th October (Byeongkwan)
- Byeongkwan began his enlistment on 11th April 2022, while members Jun, Donghun and Wow enlisted earlier on 7th February 2022, 23rd September 2021 and 10th September 2021 respectively.
- The remaining member, Chan, has yet to enlist in the army.
