SEVENTEEN will always be right here. The 13-member K-pop group is preparing for their individual mandatory South Korean military service.
The group announced they would be embarking on the SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] WORLD TOUR after their Caratland fan meeting. They will kick off their tour on October 12, 2024 with two consecutive days at GOYANG STADIUM in Korea, before performing in five cities in the US. However, it was announced that two of the members will not be participating in the tour due to military service and prior work commitments. In South Korea, every able-bodied man must enlist for military service by the age of 30 and serve for 18 to 21 months.
Related: An Introduction To The Record-Breaking K-Pop Group SEVENTEEN
The boy band is going on tour after making major waves in 2023. Their tenth EP FML went on to be the biggest K-pop album of all time and was later recognized as the biggest-selling global album of 2023 by IFPI with over 6.2 million copies sold worldwide. They were also named UNESCO’s first-ever Goodwill Ambassador for Youth.
Below, here’s when the SEVENTEEN members could enter the military.
S.Coups
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images Military enlistment date: N/A
Military return date: N/ASEVENTEEN’s leader and eldest member S.Coups has been exempted from the military. Pledis Entertainment released a statement on March 1, 2024. “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,” the company said in a statement via Soompi. “Because it was a major surgery, he has been undergoing physical rehabilitation therapy for a long time, starting from last year up until now. As a result, he was classified as Grade 5.”
Men in Grade 5 are exempt from mandatory military service during peacetime, according to the Korean conscription system. However, men who are exempted may be called in as support of the military during times of war. In order to be enlisted, Korean men must undergo an Impairment & Disability evaluation as early as 19 years old to determine suitability for military service. It ends with a military grade examination ranging from Grades 1 to 7, with Grades 1 to 3 allowing the men to serve in the military if they are healthy.
Jeonghan
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images Military enlistment date: September 26, 2024
Military return date: N/AJeonghan is the first member of SEVENTEEN to announce that he is enlisting in the military. Pledis Entertainment released a statement on fan Weverse on August 12, 2024. “JEONGHAN is due to fulfill his military obligation in the second half of 2024,” the statement read. “While JEONGHAN filmed most of the content he could in advance, he will not be able to participate in promotional activities for the 12th mini album and the SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] WORLD TOUR, scheduled to start in October. JEONGHAN will still be able to meet with CARATs through the previously announced fan signing event and Lollapalooza Berlin. Further details regarding JEONGHAN’s military service will be provided later in a separate notice.”
On September 11, 2024, Pledis Entertainment announced Jeonghan’s enlistment date: “We wish to share the news of JEONGHAN’s upcoming enlistment into the military, scheduled for September 26, 2024. As announced before, he will not be able to take part in the promotional activities for SEVENTEEN’s 12th mini album and the world tour. However, he will appear in various pre-recorded content.”
Joshua
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images Military enlistment date: N/A
Military return date: N/AJoshua does not have to enlist in the Korean military because he holds United States citizenship.
Jun
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images Military enlistment date: N/A
Military return date: N/AJun will not be enlisting in the military because he has Chinese citizenship. However, in the same announcement where they announce Jeonghan’s military plans, Pledis Entertainment announced that Jun will not be participating in Lollapalooza Berlin, music show performances for the 12th mini album, and the SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] WORLD TOUR due to acting and other opportunities in China.
Hoshi
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images Military enlistment date: To be announced (by 2026)
Military return date: To be announcedHoshi must enlist in the military before he turns 30 on June 15, 2026.
Wonwoo
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images Military enlistment date: To be announced (by 2026)
Military return date: To be announcedWonwoo must enlist in the military by his 30th birthday on July 17, 2026.
Woozi
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images Military enlistment date: To be announced (by 2026)
Military return date: To be announcedWoozi must enlist in the military by 2026 when he turns 30 on November 22.
DK
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images Military enlistment date: To be announced (by 2027)
Military return date: To be announcedDK must enlist in the military before he turns 30 on February 18, 2027.
Mingyu
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images Military enlistment date: To be announced (by 2027)
Military return date: To be announcedMingyu will have to enlist in the military by April 6, 2027, when he turns 30.
The8
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images Military enlistment date: N/A
Military return date: N/AThe8 does not have to enlist in the military because he holds Chinese citizenship.
Seungkwan
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images) Military enlistment date: To be announced (by 2028)
Military return date: To be announcedSeungkwan must enlist in the military before he turns 30 on January 16, 2028.
Vernon
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images Military enlistment date: To be announced (by 2028)
Military return date: To be announcedVernon was born in the United States, but he also has South Korean citizenship which requires him to enlist. Vernon must enlist in the military by February 18, 2028, when he turns 30 years old.
Dino
Image Credit: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images Military enlistment date: To be announced (by 2029)
Military return date: To be announcedDino must enlist in the military by February 11, 2029, when he turns 30.
