SM Entertainment has confirmed that NCT members Doyoung and Jungwoo will be the next to begin their mandatory military service. They will join the growing list of idols (Cha Eunwoo, Rowoon) who have already enlisted.
The agency shared that both will enter the same boot camp but serve in different capacities once their basic training is complete. Doyoung will serve as an active-duty soldier in the Army, while Jungwoo, who received a notice of acceptance, will join the Army Band.
According to SM Entertainment, Doyoung and Jungwoo will begin their military journey together on December 8. They will complete around five weeks of basic training before taking on their assigned roles.
The company emphasized that there will be no special events or ceremonies on the day of enlistment and asked fans not to visit the site in person for safety reasons. “There will be no special events held on their enlistment day, “the agency stated.
SM added, “As the enlistment site is a site visited by numerous enlistment recruits and their families, we ask that fans refrain from visiting in-person on the day of the enlistment.”
The label also expressed its appreciation to fans and requested continued support, saying, “We ask for your unwavering love and support so that Doyoung and Jungwoo can diligently carry out their military service and return in even better health.”
The company’s announcement was made on October 30, confirming that members will enlist on December 8, 2025. Their enlistment makes them the third and fourth NCT members to begin their service, following Taeyong and Jaehyun.
Taeyong enlisted in April 2024 as part of the Navy and is expected to be discharged on December 14, 2025. Jaehyun, who joined the Army Band in November 2024, is scheduled to complete his service on May 3, 2026. Based on the standard 18-month period, Doyoung and Jungwoo are expected to be discharged around June 2027.
NCT’s military timeline reflects the natural progression of its Korean-born members’ enlistments. Following Doyoung and Jungwoo, younger members such as Haechan, Jeno, and Jaemin, who were all born in 2000, are required to enlist by 2030 under South Korea’s current military laws.
Jisung, the youngest Korean-born member of the group, born in 2002, has until around 2032 to fulfill his service. This timeline provides fans with a clear picture of when the group’s Korean lineup may temporarily shift in the coming years.
Several other members of NCT are exempt from military service due to their citizenship status. Johnny, a U.S. citizen, and Mark, a Canadian citizen, are not required to enlist. Japanese members, including Yuta and the members of NCT Wish, are also exempt, along with Chinese members Kun, WinWin, Xiaojun, Hendery, Renjun, and Chenle. Ten, who is Thai, and Yangyang, who holds Taiwanese citizenship, are also not required to serve.
Younger members such as Haechan, Jeno, and Jaemin, who were all born in 2000, are required to enlist by 2030 under South Korea’s current military laws. Jisung, the youngest Korean-born member of the group, born in 2002, has until around 2032 to fulfill his service.
With this announcement, SM Entertainment has confirmed the next phase in NCT’s enlistment timeline. As Doyoung and Jungwoo prepare to begin their service, the group will continue its activities with its remaining members. On the other hand, fans will wait for the return of those currently serving.
Based on the pattern of previous enlistments and discharges, NCT is expected to gradually rotate its members over the next several years while maintaining ongoing projects and music releases.
