Two well-known K-pop artists, Kang Daniel and MONSTA X’s I.M, began their mandatory military service today (February 9, 2026). They will pause their entertainment careers for a while as they enter a new chapter.
Both artists enlisted as active-duty soldiers and reported to their respective training centers on the same day. Their agencies asked fans to refrain from visiting the enlistment sites for safety and privacy reasons.
Kang Daniel’s agency ARA, confirmed his enlistment in mid-January. Once basic training is complete, he will continue his duties as an active-duty soldier. Kang Daniel entered K-pop in 2017 after winning Mnet’s survival program Produce 101 Season 2 and went on to become the center of the project group Wanna One. After the group disbanded, he built a successful solo career, including album releases and a world tour.
With news of his enlistment, attention has focused on the upcoming Wanna One reunion project. The group is set to reunite for the first time in seven years through a new Mnet reality show scheduled for the first half of 2026, reportedly in April. Due to his enlistment, Kang Daniel is expected to appear only in the early episodes, as he participated in some initial recordings before entering the army.
He had previously hinted to fans that he might only show up “for the intro.” Last year, he also held a final fan concert in Seoul ahead of his service.
MONSTA X’s I.M, whose real name is Im Changkyun, also enlisted on February 9 as an active-duty soldier, according to Starship Entertainment. After basic training, he will carry out his military duties in the army. I.M is the last member of MONSTA X to enlist, meaning all members are now serving or have completed their service. This places the group on a full hiatus again.
Ahead of his enlistment, I.M continued group activities despite dealing with chronic back pain. His agency stated that he has been undergoing rehabilitation and was recently cleared to perform within a limited, non-strenuous range. Thanks to that clearance, he participated in MONSTA X’s “THE X : NEXUS” world tour concerts in Seoul from January 30 to February 1. Adjustments to his performance were made to avoid strain.
During the final concert on February 1 at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, I.M shaved his head on stage, which made the fans emotional. He shared that it was his last performance before enlistment and admitted his back was still hurting, but said he could not bring himself to skip the stage.
He became emotional as he thanked MONBEBE, explaining that even during breaks in 2025, he never truly rested because the fans kept him going. The members took turns shaving his head as fans watched and cried.
Both Kang Daniel and I.M will spend the next several weeks in basic military training before being assigned to their units. For those unversed, active-duty service typically lasts around 18 months.
Fans can expect to see Kang Daniel in the early part of the Wanna One reunion show before his absence. His full return to solo activities is expected in the second half of 2027. MONSTA X is also expected to reunite as a complete group after I.M’s discharge, likely around the same time.
Both artists are expected to be discharged on August 8, 2027.
