Woozi (Lee Jihoon), 29, of SEVENTEEN, steps away from the spotlight and begins his mandatory military enlistment today. The group’s main vocalist and producer will enter an Army training center on September 15 to start his basic training before receiving his unit assignment as an active-duty soldier.
He becomes the third SEVENTEEN member to enlist this year, following Jeonghan and Wonwoo. Jeonghan has been serving as a public service worker since September 2024, while Wonwoo began alternative service in April this year. Hoshi, Woozi’s partner in the SEVENTEEN subunit HxW, is set to follow on Tuesday, September 16.
Both members did not participate in the opening of SEVENTEEN’s world tour New_, however, attended as the audience. Later, the Ruby singer took to Weverse to share a heartfelt message,
It is my first time looking from the outside
Seeing the members and CARATs smiling together to the music I made, I was really happy about that.
I’ll receive strength before I go in, and go.
I’ll go and come back well healthily. Thank you
Before enlistment, Woozi and Hoshi formed a sub-unit HxW, and debuted in March with the single album Beam. Their lead single “96ers” reflects both their shared birth year (1996) and their friendship. As HxW, they have carried out several major public activities this year: the “WARNING” fan concert tour across South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.
Ahead of his enlistment, Woozi made a brief appearance with a shaved, short haircut at SEVENTEEN’s world tour concert at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium on September 14. Hoshi also appeared with a shaved head, signaling the start of their military duty.
In the announcement on Weverse, PLEDIS stated that Woozi’s enlistment will mean stepping away from SEVENTEEN’s group activities. However, fans (CARATs) will still be able to see him via pre-recorded content during his service.
Even as he prepares to serve, SEVENTEEN will continue with scheduled performances. Their world tour, New_ World Tour, which began last weekend in Incheon, will go on with nine members, since Woozi and Hoshi will be absent after August/September due to enlistment.
Meanwhile, Woozi will return to civilian life on March 14, 2027, after completing 1.5 years of military service period.
