5 idols who are serving in the South Korean military

With the exception of Jindischarged from his duties as a soldier on July 12 this year, all BTS members have been serving mandatory military service for men in South Korea since last year, as J-Hope enlisted on April 18, followed by Sucks on September 22, 2022, and finally RM and V on December 11th and Jungkook and Jimin on the 12th of the same month.

However, in addition to the BIGHIT MUSIC septet, a long list of idols have been wearing military uniforms as their main clothing these days. With that in mind, RECREIO has put together a list of 5 more idols who are serving in the South Korean army; check it out:

1. Joohoney (MONSTA X)

MONSTA X Member, Joohoney enlisted on July 24, 2023. The trip to the army was shared with fans (called MONBEBE) days before, on July 11, with a letter written by the idol.

MONBEBE, I’m going to enlist in the army on July 24th.

I’ve been thinking about when would be the best time to tell you. I’m actually quite worried about how MONBEBE will feel since there’s not much time left. Even as I write this, I worry a lot. Because of that worry, I thought about it a lot… Above all, I wanted MONBEBE to see me and have fun, smiling and being happy at the fan show. And I wanted to do the same for you.

That’s why I’m sharing this news today.

I wish we had more time together and I’m still worried about how little time we have left, but since I captured every moment of MONBEBE’s happiness, I think I would break the news anyway if I could go back in time… After all, enlisting is something I need to do.

I will do well and come back with courage! Don’t worry because I won’t be gone forever. Promise me that every day you will look up at the sky and think about what I did and remember Jooheon!” he said in part of the letter.

On that date, he attended the training center alongside Shownu, Kihyun, Hyungwon and IMyour group mates. Remember!

The idol is set to be released on January 23, 2025.

2. Jay (iKON)

On July 7, 2023, iKON fans were surprised with the news that Jay would begin his military enlistment on July 20 of the same year. The announcement came through a statement on the idol’s Instagram profile, where he wrote:

I’m writing because I thought I should tell you this before anyone else.

I will enlist in the military service on July 20th.

I feel regretful because there are so many things I have prepared and I haven’t had the chance to show them to you yet, but since I know our fans who have been waiting for me will be even sadder, I will be brief in this statement.

I will diligently fulfill my duty and return quickly. Let us find strength by thinking of each other, and please stay well.

Thank you for always cheering me on by my side and I love you guys!”

Discharge from obligations as a soldier is scheduled to take place on April 19, 2025.

3. DAWN

Former member of the groups Pentagon and Triple H, the soloist DAWNbegan serving the Armed Forces on October 12, 2023 as a public servant, as well as Sucks.

Through Instagram’s Stories function, DAWN shared the news, also revealing that news about his career as a rapper will be released even though he is physically away from the spotlight.

Hello everyone. This is DAWN.

I’m greeting everyone with some rather sudden news!

From today onwards, I will be carrying out my military service as a civil servant.

Please understand that I couldn’t help but give you advance notice so that I could enlist discreetly.

Putting my sadness aside, I want to convey my gratitude like this before I enlist.

I am always grateful to the fans who always send me a lot of support and I will return in good health after completing my service.

The projects I’ve already finished working on will continue to be revealed, so please show great anticipation. Thank you!” the idol wrote.

He is due to return home on July 11, 2025.

4. Sehun (EXO)

EXO member, Sehun enlisted on December 21, 2023, becoming the last member of the group to fulfill his duties as a soldier. At the time, the idol revealed the information to fans through a handwritten letter on Weverse published on the 13th of the same month.

The translation says:

Hello, this is Sehun.

Is everyone okay and healthy?

I’m writing this today because there’s something I want to tell you.

I will begin my military service on December 21st. I am sorry for breaking the news to EXO-L so late.

Lately I’ve been spending time alone, taking care of myself and doing some deep contemplation.

As a result, I am greeting you like this [através de uma carta]without standing in front of you.

I hope you understand that I cannot greet you in person. I am very grateful to everyone who takes care of me.

I hope everyone stays healthy until the day we meet again.

I will also return in good health. Thank you.”

The dispensation of Sehun should happen on September 20, 2025.

5. Taeyong (NCT)

With enlistment starting on April 15, 2024, Taeyongfrom the NCT is to be discharged on December 14, 2025.

On the date the idol began serving as an active duty Marine, he said goodbye to his groupmates, Taeil, Johnny, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Doyoung, Yuta and Lt. The moment was shared through a post on the idol’s personal Instagram in which 5 photos are accompanied by the caption: “Goodbye! Stay healthy! I love you!”; remember!