Cover Jin of BTS is among South Korea's most sought-after K-pop idols. He was discharged from the military (Photo: AFP/Youtube)
Jin of BTS is among South Korea's most sought-after K-pop idols. He was discharged from the military (Photo: AFP/Youtube)
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We know how much you miss them! Here are K-pop idols who will be discharged from the military this 2024 and 2025
A 1957 South Korean law stipulates that all able-bodied men in the country must enlist in the military between ages 18 and 28. This means that depending on the branch of the military they are in, these idols will be out of the public's sight for a long period of time.
Typically, soldiers in the Army and Marines perform military duties for 21 months; those assigned to the Navy serve for 23 months, while those in the Air Force serve for 24 months.
Related: 10 K-pop idols who have blossomed into notable actors
Listed in this article are 9 of our favourite K-pop idols who were enlisted in the military to serve their country.
1. Jin, BTS
Above Jin of BTS is among South Korea's most sought-after K-pop idols (Photo: Getty Images)
Jin of BTS is among South Korea's most sought-after K-pop idols (Photo: Getty Images)
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Name: Kim Seok-jin
Military Enlistment: December 13, 2022
Military Discharge: June 12, 2024
Did you know? Jin is among the most sought-after K-pop idols in South Korea. He has co-written and released three solo tracks, including Awake (2018), Epiphany (2018), and Moon (2020).
2. Jinyoung, GOT7
Above NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 26: BamBam and Jung Jin-Young of GOT7 are seen outside the Build Studio on June 26, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 26: BamBam and Jung Jin-Young of GOT7 are seen outside the Build Studio on June 26, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images)
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Name: Park Jin-young
Military Enlistment: May 8, 2023
Military Discharge: November 4, 2024
Did you know? One of South Korea’s most famous K-pop idols, Jinyoung of GOT7, is also an actor who starred in drama series, including Dream High 2 (2012) and He is Psychometric (2019), and the film A Stray Goat (2016).
3. Jay, iKON
Above Jay from IKON is one of South Korea's sought-after K-pop idols (Photo: SCMP)
Jay from IKON is one of South Korea's sought-after K-pop idols (Photo: SCMP)
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Name: Kim Jin-hwan
Military Enlistment: July 20, 2023
Military Discharge: January 17, 2025
Did you know? Jay debuted as an iKON member with the release of the boy band’s full-length album Welcome Back (2015). He was appointed as the group’s leader shortly after their groupmate B.I.’s departure.
More from Tatler: Indie K-pop artist Lim Kim on challenging racism, singing about women empowerment and collaborating with 1milliondance studio
4. V, BTS
Name: Kim Tae-hyung
Military Enlistment: December 11, 2023
Military Discharge: June 10, 2025
Did you know? Fondly called “V”, Kim Tae-hyung is a singer, songwriter, and one of the most beloved K-pop idols from boy band BTS. Since his 2013 debut, he has performed three solo songs, including Stigma (2016), Singularity (2018), and Inner Child (2020).
Related: BTS to Become Disney Stars in New Streaming Partnership With Hybe
5. Kai, EXO
Name: Kim Jong-in
Military Enlistment: May 11, 2023
Military Discharge: November 7, 2024
Did you know? South Korean singer, actor, model, and dancer Kai was a member of the boy band EXO. He debuted as a soloist in November 2020 when he released his first EP, Kai.
6. Jay B, GOT7
Name: Lim Jae-beom
Military Enlistment: February 3, 2023
Military Discharge: November 1, 2024
Did you know? Known as Jay B, Lim Jae-beom is the leader of the South Korean boy band GOT7. Born in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province and raised in Goyang, Jay B was scouted by JYP Entertainment when he joined a b-boy competition in 2009.
See also: BTS renews contract with HYBE and BigHit: what are the members doing now?
7. J-Hope, BTS
Name: Jung Ho-seok
Military Enlistment: April 17, 2023
Military Discharge: October 17,2024
Did you know? Rapper, singer, dancer, and record producer J-Hope made his debut as a BTS member in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment. In 2018, he released his first solo mixtape titled Hope World which peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard 200, which at the time was the highest-charting album by a Korean solo artist.
8. Minhyuk, MONSTA X
Name: Lee Min-hyuk
Military Enlistment: April 4. 2023
Military Discharge: October 4, 2024
Did you know? Lee Min-hyuk competed in Mnet’s survival show No. Mercy. in 2014. During the series finale, it was revealed that he was the final member of the seven contestants that will debut in the new boy group Monsta X.
9. Mino, WINNER
Name: Song Min-ho
Military Enlistment: March 24, 2023
Military Discharge: September 22, 2024
Did you know? After his two-year stint in the ballad group BoM from 2011 to 2013, Mino joined YG Entertainment, which led to his debut in 2014 with the boy band Winner. The K-pop idol’s claim to fame was his stint at the rap-survival program Show Me the Money 4, where he finished as a runner-up and became the best-selling artist in the show’s history.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
