As SEVENTEEN’s oldest members approach enlistment age, CARATs worldwide are preparing for the group’s upcoming military era. The first group member Jeonghan enlisted in September last year, followed by Wonwoo this April.
The members will enlist in the military, as all able-bodied Korean men are required to do, and will serve their national defense duties in a staggered manner. This is a typical approach for K-pop groups, allowing them to maintain some group activities while members are serving.
SEVENTEEN military timeline will follow Korea’s revised conscription laws, with most members serving 18 months of active duty. While full-group activities will pause, HYBE is expected to maintain their presence through pre-recorded content, solo/subunit projects, and occasional member appearances.
As the reports suggest, SEVENTEEN will regroup completely by approximately 2029 when all members finish military service. It is a bittersweet moment for fans of HYBE artists, while BTS will resume activities in the 2nd half of 2025, SEVENTEEN is going on a temporary hiatus.
The group leader S.Coups received military exemption last year; on the other hand, foreign members Joshua, THE8, Jun, and Vernon are not obliged to fulfill military duties.
Note: We’ll update this timeline as official announcements are made by Pledis Entertainment.
SEVENTEEN Military Enlistment and Discharge Dates
As they enter their military service period, here’s an updated overview of SEVENTEEN military enlistment schedule
S.Coups (Exempt)
The group’s leader S.Coups (Choi Seungcheol) has been granted an official military exemption due to a chronic knee injury that would prevent him from completing active duty requirements. This medical exemption was approved after a thorough review by South Korea’s Military Manpower Administration.
PLEDIS Entertainment announced on March 1, 2024, that S.Coups has been classified as Grade 5 in his military evaluation, exempting him from active duty. The Grade 5 designation means he would only be called to serve during wartime, per South Korea’s conscription laws.
Jeonghan (Serving)
- Enlistment Date: September 26, 2024
- Discharge Date: June 26, 2024
Jeonghan officially began SEVENTEEN’s military service era with his enlistment in September last year. Instead of embarking on a world tour with the group, he enlisted as a public service worker. Since he is fulfilling alternative service as a social service worker due to an ankle injury, his military period will be longer than someone serving active duty. Jeonghan will serve for 21 months, with a scheduled discharge in June 2026.
Joshua (Not Required)
Joshua from SEVENTEEN is not required to serve in the South Korean military due to his US citizenship. As a Korean-American from Los Angeles, he is exempt from mandatory military service in South Korea. This exemption applies to international members who maintain foreign citizenship
In South Korea, dual citizens typically need to choose one citizenship by age 18. If they give up their Korean citizenship, they’re exempt from mandatory military service. This rule applies to many Korean celebrities with dual citizenship, including some K-pop idols.
Jun (Not Required)
Jun is a Chinese member of SEVENTEEN, born June 10, 1996. Had he been a Korean member, he would have been required to fulfill or alternative service. As a Chinese national, Jun is not required to serve compulsory military service in South Korea
Hoshi (TBA)
Wonwoo (Serving)
- Enlistment Date: April 3, 2025
- Discharge Date: January 2, 2027
Wonwoo is the second member to begin military service earlier this month. Like Jeonghan, the 28-year-old K-pop member also enlisted as a public service worker, and therefore, was required to serve 21 months.
Woozi (TBA)
DK (TBA)
Mingyu (TBA)
THE8 (Not Required)
Like Jun, THE8 is also a Chinese member of SEVENTEEN, part of the performance unit. Since he is a Chinese citizen, the 27-year-old K-pop star is not obliged by law to serve in the military unless he wants to acquire Korean citizenship.
Seungkwan (TBA)
Vernon (Not Required)
Vernon, a member of SEVENTEEN, is an American citizen of Korean descent. As a US citizen, he is not required to fulfill mandatory military service in South Korea. His American citizenship exempts him from South Korea’s military service obligations. Notably, he will be required to serve if he chooses to revoke his American citizenship.
Dino (TBA)
Lastly, SEVENTEEN members begin their military service one by one, and CARATs can look forward to their eventual full-group return around 2028-2029.
