We are eight months into 2023, and the list of third-generation K-pop idols enlisting in the military to fulfill their duties as abled body citizens of South Korea is growing. While it is a short separation for fans, it is also an inevitable duty for Korean men aged 18 and above.
For the unversed, Korean citizens must serve in the military for 18 to 21 months, depending on the service. Although certain expectations are made for people who have suffered a severe injury, most men must undergo the training.
Many K-pop idols, such as SHINee‘s Key and Taemin, served in the band, while many also served in the Navy, Air Force, Army, etc. Some idols also served in public service if they did not match the qualifications to serve as active-duty soldiers. Let’s check out all the K-pop idols confirmed to enlist in 2023.
K-pop idols enlisting in military 2023
January
1. Gunmin – B.I.G
https://twitter.com/umikaypop/status/1613883079000739842?t=QNJUQfEMD6ibc0lJHHgh9g&s=19
Vocalist of B.I.G Gunmin enlisted in the military early in the year on January 26. He will serve until July 27, 2024. After returning, he will rejoin the other three members J-Hoon, Heedo, and Jinseok, in their activities.
2. Seungyeop – E’LAST
E'LAST MILITARY DISCHARGE 🪖
— Lucy (PH ELRING) || FAN ACCOUNT (@choiinlove) August 20, 2023
The ’97-liner Seungyeop from the K-pop group E’LAST enlisted on January 31. He began his service earlier and will return on August 1, 2024. Previously, he also performed as a vocalist for EBoyz.
February
3. JAYB – GOT7
– 1 month since #JAYB enlisted. pic.twitter.com/iJY1bRVjlf
— ☯︎ (@FILESJAYB) March 2, 2023
Leader of GOT7 JAYB enlisted on February 2, 2023, as a public service agent due to a back injury. He didn’t announce his enlistment, and fans learned about it a week later. He was pursuing his solo activities, which he will resume when he returns in November 2024.
March
4. Cha-hun – N.Flying
cha hun enlisted today omfg serve well kwing 🫡
— y (@wnesyd) March 20, 2023
The guitarist and self-proclaimed chef from N.Flying enlisted on March 20. He will fulfill his duties as a military band member and return on September 19, 2024.
5. Y – Golden Child
Hello Goldenness~
It has officially been 5 months since Choi Sungyoon enlisted for his military mandatory service. Let's continue to make him proud!🐰#Y #ChoiSungyoon #최성윤 @GoldenChild #Goldenness #골든차일드 #GoldenChild pic.twitter.com/72muXKcCLR
— GNCD_Schedule🥇 (@GNCD_Schedule) August 20, 2023
Golden Child’s Choi Seung Yoon, better known as Y, enlisted in the military on March 20. After being appointed platoon leader trainee with actor Nam Joo-hyuk, he will serve his duties and return in September 2024.
6. Jaeyoon – SF9
Jaeyoon will be enlisted on 21st March 2023 pic.twitter.com/YU1tw4kJrr
— 린즈🎀 (@sfmaknaez0117) February 13, 2023
Jaeyoon of SF9 enlisted on March 21 this year, while his members Inseong and Youngbin will discharge from the military service. He will join the military band and return on September 19, 2024.
7. Seungsik – VICTON
#VICTON’s contract with their company IST has expired
Hanse, Byungchan & Subin will be leaving the company
Seungwoo who recently discharged from military, Seungsik who enlisted & Sejun who about to enlist, their contract period changed due to enlistment so they staying pic.twitter.com/TuTQvqOn5R
— ƒαrαн (@twinkyxstar) April 20, 2023
The member of the talented and visual K-pop group VICTION enlisted on March 22 after announcing it on a Weverse live. He is expected to return on September 20, 2024.
8. Mino – WINNER
YG shared #WINNER #Mino is excluded frm basic training after evaluation frm the Military Manpower Administration &is serving alternative service.
He was seen in the US attending his sister wedding, YG explain it's thru formal procedure.https://t.co/8B31d3cUtw#KoreanUpdates VF pic.twitter.com/245UYojXjn
— KoreanUpdates! (@KoreanUpdates) May 29, 2023
WINNER’s rapper Mino entered the military to serve on March 24, 2023, as a social worker due to suffering multiple injuries in the past. He will return soon, on September 22, 2024.
April
9. Minhyuk – MONSTA X
D-406 until Minhyuk gets discharged
🏠: 30. September 2024
🖼️: 🖤#minhyuk #MINHYUK #LeeMinhyuk #MONSTA_X #MONSTAX #MONBEBE
Follow & turn on the 🔔 to not miss any daily countdown 🙂 pic.twitter.com/GlQEWcobTR
— Kpop Military Countdowns (@KpopMilitary) August 20, 2023
While fans were awaiting the discharge of MONSTA X’s leader Shownu, another member, Minhyuk, announced he would enlist in the military on April 4. The group’s essential members will return on October 3, 2024.
10. J-Hope – BTS
of course he has a cute little keychain. of course j-hope carries around a cute little keychain hooked to his military bag pic.twitter.com/X4Ew9fpAML
— ayesha (@whooperjin) August 16, 2023
The lead dancer and rapper of BTS enlisted on April 17, 2024, following the footsteps of JIN. He will serve on October 17, 2024, and return to awaiting ARMYs.
11. Ong Seung Woo
thank u military, i got to see idol ong seung woo again 😌 https://t.co/AQP78HczKJ
— caratdeul ◠‿◠ (@haoryou_) July 28, 2023
The famous Korean singer-actor and former member of WANNAONE enlisted on April 17. Per the announcement, he will serve as an active-duty soldier and return in October 2024.
May
12. Dongsung and Jaehyun – N.Flying
N.Flying's Jaehyun & Dongsung to enlist for mandatory military service togetherhttps://t.co/Z5W255yrlx
— allkpop (@allkpop) February 17, 2023
Two members from N.Flying enlisted in the military in May 2023. Dongsung enlisted first on May 8, and Jaehyun enlisted on May 23. Both will return in November 2024.
13. Jinyoung – GOT7
D-450
Today marks the 100th day of Jinyoung served in the military.
It’s also National Liberation Day of Korea🫡 pic.twitter.com/xqLzsjd8jV— PeachEdits922🍑 (@Peachedits922) August 15, 2023
Following the footsteps of leader JAYB, Jinyoung enlisted on May 8, 2023. As per the announcement, he will serve and return in November 2024.
14. Kai – EXO
me on february 2025 after kai discharged from military https://t.co/Cr0TPjJHoo
— rue ☆ (@IT3OYKAI) August 15, 2023
After having a successful comeback with Rover, EXO Kai enlisted in the military on May 11, 2023. He will serve as a public service worker and return on November 7, 2024.
June
15. Seungyoon – WINNER
WINNER Seunghoon has enlisted in the military pic.twitter.com/KUmlFyNv0t
— mes #TeamPinky (@OH_mes2) April 16, 2020
Following the footsteps of Mino, WINNER’s Seungyoon enlisted last June 20, 2023. He will serve as an active-duty soldier and return on December 20, 2024.
July
16. Jay – iKON
D-607. Good morning to our military man 💙#김진환 #진환 #ジナン #JINHWAN #iKON #아이콘 #JAY @iKON_gnani_____ @GNANI_OFFICIAL @iKONIC_143 https://t.co/jFn30OoZGB pic.twitter.com/US0BokNpSd
— 레지나 ♡ ~ waiting for Nani 💙 (@gnani020794) August 20, 2023
The iKON’s singer Jay entered the military on July 20 and slates to come back on January 17, 2025, after serving his duties.
17. Jooheon – MONSTA X
HE IS JUST A BABY 😭😭😭😭😭#주헌 #JOOHEON #JOOHONEY pic.twitter.com/ycRP5XytPN
— Hudi🐝 Military wife 💔 semi ia (@hudibee_) August 19, 2023
MONSTA X‘s aegyo king and rapper Joohoney enlisted on July 24. Before enlisting, he wrote a letter to their fans (Monbebes) and promised to return soon. He aims to complete his military service on January 21, 2025.
August
18. Kihyun – MONSTA X
Hyungwon and kihyun enjoyed their military jokes so much 🥲 pic.twitter.com/P4vHXS9BOO
— Shifa ෆ (@chwturtlex) August 15, 2023
Another member of MONSTA X, Kihyun, confirmed he is enlisting in the military with a heartfelt letter. He will join the army on August 22 and return in February 2025.
September
19. SUGA – BTS
https://twitter.com/katoumyubano/status/1705479854618218496?t=ELtiHCmT0–BtNYjZYLgzQ&s=19
The D-DAY singer also enlisted as a police officer due to his previous shoulder injury on September 22, 2023. Fans are awaiting his safe return around June 21, 2025 for the group’s reunion.
These are all the K-pop idols enlisting in 2023. Apart from BTS SUGA rest of the boy group’s members are also going to announce their enlistment before the end of this year, as BTS RM confirmed they aim for a 2025 reunion.
For more content, stay with us here at Spiel Times. Make sure you subscribe to our push notifications and never miss an update. You can also follow us on Spiel Anime, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Until next time!