[카테고리:] News

Which K-pop idols are currently serving in the South Korean military, who has already been discharged, and who enlists next? This living tracker keeps the mandatory-service status of major boy groups in one place, updated as new announcements are confirmed. Under South Korean law, most able-bodied male citizens must complete roughly 18 months of active-duty service (or about 21 months of alternative/social service), and idol schedules are increasingly built around these timelines.

K-Pop Military Service Tracker

Use the filters to switch between members who are currently serving, enlisting in 2026, already discharged, or exempt/not subject to conscription. The tracker currently covers BTS, SEVENTEEN, and EXO, with more groups added over time.

How Korean Military Service Works for Idols

South Korea requires most able-bodied male citizens to complete mandatory military service before turning 28 (with limited postponements). For entertainers, there is no general exemption, so groups plan comebacks, tours, and solo releases around each member’s timeline. There are several service types: active duty in the Army, Navy, or Air Force (about 18 months); social service agent or other alternative service (about 21 months), typically assigned for medical or personal reasons; and full exemption in cases such as certain injuries. Members who hold foreign citizenship — like SEVENTEEN’s Joshua (U.S.) or the group’s Chinese members — are generally not subject to Korean conscription.

Groups in Focus

BTS — all seven discharged

BTS completed their enlistment wave between 2024 and 2025. J-Hope and Jin returned first, followed by RM, V, Jimin, and Jung Kook in June 2025, with Suga — who served as a social service agent — discharged on June 21, 2025. All seven members have now finished their service.

EXO — service complete

EXO’s Korean members have all been discharged, the last being Sehun on September 20, 2025. Chinese member Lay is not subject to Korean conscription.

SEVENTEEN — mid-enlistment

SEVENTEEN is the group most actively in its enlistment cycle. Jeonghan was discharged on June 25, 2026, while Wonwoo (social service), Hoshi, and Woozi (active duty) are currently serving. Vernon begins alternative service on August 20, 2026, and DK enlists in the Army on September 8, 2026. For the full details on the two upcoming enlistments, see our report on SEVENTEEN’s DK and Vernon enlistment dates.

FAQ

Are all BTS members out of the military?

Yes. All seven BTS members have completed their mandatory service, with the final discharges taking place in June 2025.

Which SEVENTEEN members are serving right now?

Wonwoo (social service agent), Hoshi, and Woozi (both active duty) are currently serving. Vernon and DK enlist in August and September 2026, respectively.

Do idols with foreign citizenship serve?

No. Members who are not South Korean citizens — such as SEVENTEEN’s Joshua, Jun, and The8, or EXO’s Lay — are not subject to South Korea’s conscription requirements.

Dates are compiled from agency announcements and public reporting and reflect the status as of late July 2026. This page is updated as new enlistment and discharge news is confirmed.

Co-ed K-pop group KARD will release their first — and final — full-length album, Where To Now? (Part.2) : NOWHERE, today (July 28) at 6 p.m. KST on major streaming platforms. The 10-track set, led by the title song “Back To Life,” is the group’s last release before they conclude nine years of activity, agency DSP Media confirmed earlier this month.

A First That Is Also a Last

It is a bittersweet milestone: in nine years, KARD never released a full-length album — until now. NOWHERE completes the two-part “Where To Now?” series that began with the group’s seventh mini album, Where To Now? (Part.1 : Yellow Light), released in August 2024. Where Part 1 posed the question of where the four members were headed, Part 2 delivers the answer they found after wandering: the destination was here all along.

On July 6, DSP Media announced that KARD would disband following the album and an accompanying world tour, saying the decision came “after careful discussion with all four members” and asking fans to support each member’s individual path going forward.

‘Back To Life’ Leads a 10-Track Farewell

The title track “Back To Life” returns to the tropical, dancehall-leaning sound that has been KARD’s signature since their earliest hits, with moombahton textures and a lyrical message of comfort — the group positioning themselves as a steady presence for listeners through hard times. All four members — BM, J.Seph, Somin, and Jiwoo — participated in writing the song, as well as the album cut “Always,” while BM oversaw production across the record.

Every member gets a solo

Alongside group tracks “Armor,” “At Least,” “Signal,” and “Always,” the album gives each member a dedicated solo song: BM’s “Move,” J.Seph’s “EASY,” Somin’s “Backseat,” and Jiwoo’s “Home Sweet Home” — a track-by-track showcase of the individual colors that made the co-ed quartet distinctive, and a preview of the solo careers to come.

What Comes Next: The ‘NOW HERE’ World Tour

The album is not quite the end. According to earlier Korean reports, KARD are set to open their “2026 WORLD TOUR: NOW HERE” with a Seoul performance on August 8, with the tour serving as the group’s final act before disbandment. Further dates and cities are expected to be announced through official channels; KARD have long been one of K-pop’s strongest touring acts overseas, with consistent demand across the Americas, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

KARD’s Legacy: K-pop’s Rare Co-ed Success

KARD debuted officially on July 19, 2017 with “Hola Hola,” after breaking out internationally with the pre-debut project singles “Oh NaNa” and “Don’t Recall” in late 2016 and early 2017. As one of the very few co-ed groups in modern K-pop, the quartet built an unusual profile: modest domestic chart presence but a devoted global fanbase — known as HIDDEN KARD — that kept the group touring worldwide for nearly a decade. Their farewell as a first full album, stocked with a solo track for each member, reads as both a thank-you and a handoff to whatever comes next.

FAQ

When does KARD’s final album ‘NOWHERE’ come out?

Today, July 28, 2026, at 6 p.m. KST (5 a.m. ET / 2 a.m. PT) on major streaming platforms, alongside the music video for title track “Back To Life.”

Is KARD really disbanding?

Yes. DSP Media officially announced on July 6 that KARD will conclude group activities after this album and their final world tour, with the four members pursuing individual careers.

Will KARD tour before disbanding?

Korean outlets report the “2026 WORLD TOUR: NOW HERE” begins with a Seoul show on August 8. Full tour dates are expected via KARD’s official channels.

Sources: DSP Media official announcement (July 6); reporting by Herald Muse, Ten Asia, and MBC.

South Korea’s four largest K-pop companies finally have a date on the calendar. FANOMENON, the first festival jointly operated by HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment, will run for 11 days in the Seoul area from December 2 to 12, 2027, organizers announced Monday (July 27 KST) at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul.

The announcement came from the Popular Culture Exchange Committee, a government body co-chaired by Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young and JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young (J.Y. Park). According to the committee, the inaugural edition opens with a pre-event on December 2, with main programming running December 3–12 across two venues: the new Seoul Arena in Changdong and KINTEX Exhibition Hall 2 in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul.

Two Venues, Two Different Festivals

Seoul Arena — the roughly 20,000-seat concert hall scheduled to open in May 2027 in Dobong District — will host the headline concerts, reportedly structured as six show days across the event’s two weekends, capped by an awards ceremony that doubles as a performance night.

KINTEX Hall 2, a space organizers compared to seven soccer fields, will run a separate weekend music festival spanning jazz, EDM, rock, R&B, hip-hop and world music, alongside K-culture exhibitions and hands-on programs. Weekdays in between are set aside for fan meetings, esports events and industry business forums, turning the 11-day window into a Coachella-style destination event rather than a single concert series.

An Awards Show Where the Fans Win

The most unusual element is the awards ceremony — an event where the trophies go to fandoms, not artists. Park Jin-young said the committee will “research and analyze which fandoms were most passionate” over the year, selecting a top 10 through data analysis rather than open voting, a design intended to prevent vote-manipulation battles. The winning fandom’s artist accepts the award on stage on their fans’ behalf.

“K-culture should be viewed as a fandom industry,” Park said at the briefing, adding that Korea taking the lead in fandom culture would benefit both K-culture and global cultural exchange.

Why This Is a Big Deal

The Big Four agencies announced a joint venture for a global K-pop festival back in April 2026, but Monday’s briefing marks the first time the project has concrete dates, venues and structure — and the first time the four rivals will formally operate an event as a single unit. Between them, the companies represent artists including BTS, SEVENTEEN, aespa, Stray Kids, TWICE, BLACKPINK and BABYMONSTER, though no lineup has been announced yet.

Organizers project about 520,000 visitors, including roughly 200,000 international travelers, and estimate the economic impact at around 1 trillion won (about $680 million). The December 2027 timing also gives Seoul Arena — Korea’s first dedicated arena-class music venue — its first tentpole event within months of opening.

Los Angeles Gets One Too

FANOMENON is not planned as a Seoul-only property. The committee said a touring version of the festival will launch overseas beginning in May 2028 in Los Angeles, with K-culture centers in major global cities under consideration as longer-term infrastructure.

FAQ

When and where is FANOMENON 2027?

December 2–12, 2027, at Seoul Arena in Changdong (concerts and the awards ceremony) and KINTEX Hall 2 in Goyang (music festival and K-culture exhibitions). The December 2 opening is billed as a pre-event, with main programming from December 3.

Who is performing at FANOMENON?

No lineup has been announced. With HYBE, SM, JYP and YG jointly operating the festival, artists from all four companies are widely expected, but nothing is confirmed — ticket and lineup details should come closer to the event.

Will FANOMENON happen outside Korea?

Yes — a touring edition is set to begin in Los Angeles in May 2028, according to the committee’s announcement.

Sources: Popular Culture Exchange Committee announcement (July 27, 2026); reporting by Hankyung, Kyunghyang Shinmun, The Korea Times and The Korea Herald.

SEVENTEEN‘s Vernon and DK will begin their mandatory military service in the coming weeks, Pledis Entertainment announced on Monday, July 27 (KST). Vernon will start his alternative service as a social service agent on August 20, while DK will enlist in the Army as an active-duty soldier on September 8. Both members will take part in their scheduled official activities without interruption until their respective start dates, the agency said in an official notice posted to the group’s fan community.

What Pledis Entertainment Announced

In the notice, Pledis confirmed the two members’ service plans and asked fans not to visit DK’s training center on enlistment day, noting that “numerous other recruits and their families will attend the event.” The agency made the same request regarding Vernon’s alternative service site. Pledis added that a variety of content prepared in advance will continue to reach fans while the two members are away, and said it will fully support both artists throughout their service.

Where SEVENTEEN’s Military Timeline Stands

Completed and currently serving

Vernon and DK become the fifth and sixth members of SEVENTEEN to begin their service. Jeonghan was the first to complete his duty: he served as a social service agent from September 2024 and was discharged on June 25, 2026. Wonwoo is currently carrying out his alternative service as a social service agent, while Hoshi and Woozi have been serving as active-duty soldiers since enlisting in September 2025.

Exempt or not subject to enlistment

Leader S.Coups received an exemption from mandatory service due to a knee injury. Joshua, who is an American citizen, and Chinese members Jun and The8 are not subject to South Korea’s conscription requirements. That leaves Mingyu, Seungkwan, and Dino as the Korean members who have yet to begin their service.

What This Means for CARATs

SEVENTEEN has been managing its members’ enlistments in a staggered fashion rather than pausing as a full group, allowing units and individual members to stay active while others serve. Jeonghan’s return in June marked the group’s first completed service, and the pipeline of pre-produced content — a strategy Pledis reiterated in Monday’s announcement — is expected to keep both DK and Vernon visible to fans during their time away. All 13 members have renewed their contracts with Pledis, underscoring the company’s and the group’s stated commitment to continuing as a full team once military obligations are complete.

Under South Korea’s current system, active-duty Army service runs approximately 18 months, while alternative service as a social service agent typically lasts 21 months. Exact discharge dates depend on each member’s assignment and applicable regulations.

FAQ

When does DK of SEVENTEEN enlist?

DK enlists in the South Korean Army as an active-duty soldier on September 8, 2026. He will continue scheduled activities until then.

When does Vernon start his military service?

Vernon begins alternative service as a social service agent on August 20, 2026.

Which SEVENTEEN members have already served or are serving?

Jeonghan completed his alternative service on June 25, 2026. Wonwoo (alternative service), Hoshi, and Woozi (both active duty, since September 2025) are currently serving. S.Coups is exempt, and Joshua, Jun, and The8 are not subject to Korean conscription.

Related: See our full K-Pop Military Service Tracker for every SEVENTEEN member’s status, plus BTS and EXO.

Based on Pledis Entertainment’s official announcement of July 27, 2026 (KST), with additional reporting by The Korea Herald and Ten Asia.

YEONJUN of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) is set to headline his first solo concert in the United States. BIGHIT MUSIC announced on July 25 that the singer will perform in Los Angeles on Aug. 12 (local time) as part of “Billboard: One Night Only,” a special live series hosted by the U.S. music publication Billboard.

The agency said the venue will be disclosed later, noting that because this is YEONJUN’s first solo show in the U.S., it will be held at “a meaningful place fitting for his first step” in the country.

The Los Angeles date arrives as YEONJUN continues promotions for his second solo mini album, “NO LABELS: PART 02,” released earlier this month, led by title track “Ice Cream.”

What we know so far

• Who: YEONJUN of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)
• When: Aug. 12, 2026 (local time)
• Where: Los Angeles — exact venue to be announced
• What: his first solo show in the U.S., staged within Billboard’s “One Night Only” series
• Context: currently promoting second solo mini album “NO LABELS: PART 02” (title track “Ice Cream”)

Above: YEONJUN’s “Ice Cream” official music video, via HYBE LABELS’ official YouTube channel.

Sources: BIGHIT MUSIC announcement; reporting by Yonhap News (July 25, 2026).

ADOR, the HYBE label behind girl group NewJeans, will hold its first-ever domestic boy group audition, the company announced on July 24. The label said it will tour seven cities across South Korea throughout August to scout new talent.

Seven Cities Across August

The audition opens in Seoul on Aug. 1, followed by Gwangju (Aug. 2), Jeju (Aug. 12), Daejeon (Aug. 14), Wonju (Aug. 16), Daegu (Aug. 29) and Busan (Aug. 30). Any male born in 2007 or later is eligible to apply.

A Shift Toward Domestic Scouting

ADOR said it has previously run auditions on a global scale but is now narrowing its focus to Korea in order to concentrate on uncovering hidden talent nationwide. The move signals the label’s intent to build a boy group, broadening a roster currently anchored by NewJeans.

Source: Yonhap News / ADOR.

ENHYPEN became the first K-pop group to appear at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), taking the stage as panelists on July 23 (local time) at the San Diego Convention Center. One of the two largest comics festivals in the United States, SDCC has traditionally revolved around comics, graphic novels and animation, and had never featured a K-pop act before.

‘Dark Moon’ Brings the Group to Comic-Con

The appearance was built around “Dark Moon,” an original story HYBE created together with ENHYPEN around a concept of vampire boys. The webtoon “Dark Moon: The Blood Altar” has surpassed 200 million cumulative views, and the universe has since expanded into an animation, a web novel and a sequel webtoon. Because the story grew directly out of the group’s own worldview and characters — each member has a corresponding character whose personality and even tastes are drawn from the real member — fans move fluidly between the music and the webtoon.

“So much of our personalities is reflected in the ‘Dark Moon’ story that we’ve even said the characters are more like us than we are,” ENHYPEN’s Jungwon said during the panel talk.

A ‘Twilight’ Reunion and a Vampire Through-Line

The panel leaned into the vampire theme that has helped the franchise resonate with global audiences. “Twilight” director Catherine Hardwicke joined the session alongside Peter Facinelli and Ashley Greene — who played Carlisle and Alice in the film series — to discuss the enduring appeal of vampire storytelling. ENHYPEN members said they grew up watching “Twilight” and credited it with opening mainstream audiences to vampire lore.

Member Sunghoon pointed to the built-in shorthand the concept provides: “In our music videos we suddenly turn into bats or throw knives, and because viewers already know we’re vampires, we don’t have to explain any of it — that’s a huge advantage.”

HYBE’s Growing Story-IP Play

HYBE has built story IP through collaborations with several of its groups, including BTS and LE SSERAFIM, but “Dark Moon” has drawn the most traction — helped, the company suggests, by the global familiarity of the vampire setting. Park Tae-ho, who heads HYBE’s Next Entertainment business division, admitted the first Comic-Con outing was “honestly very scary,” but said the preview night and panel talk convinced him it was the right move, citing stronger-than-expected interest in “Dark Moon” among attendees.

Source: Yonhap News. Video: official “Dark Moon: The Blood Altar” soundtrack music video (DARK MOON SAGA).

BTS have released the Korean-language version of “NORMAL,” a track from their fifth studio album ARIRANG, along with the song’s first official music video. The new versions went live on July 17 at 1 p.m. KST, according to the group’s label Big Hit Music — and the music video is now streaming on YouTube after a two-day Spotify exclusive window.

What exactly was released?

The drop includes three new audio versions of the Korean-language “NORMAL”: an explicit version, a clean version, and an instrumental. Fans first got a preview of the Korean version live — BTS debuted it on stage in June during the Busan stop of their ongoing ARIRANG world tour — but this is the first studio release.

The music video, filmed for the original English-language track, premiered July 17 on Spotify and rolled out to YouTube on July 19, where it has already passed 4.6 million views on the official HYBE LABELS channel.

A music video about what’s behind the spotlight

Rather than a glossy performance video, the “NORMAL” visual leans into the song’s theme: the exhaustion and emptiness that can hide behind an idol’s stage persona. The members appear stripped of glamour — singing under falling water, lying down visibly worn — in scenes meant to capture their unpolished, everyday selves. It is a quiet message of comfort aimed at listeners dealing with their own daily anxiety and fatigue.

“NORMAL” is already a Billboard hit

The alternative-pop track, which counts hitmaker Ryan Tedder among its producers, debuted at No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has now charted for three consecutive weeks. Its conversational, singing-rap delivery has made it one of the standout album tracks from ARIRANG.

A packed week: World Cup halftime show and MetLife dates

The release landed at one of the busiest moments in the group’s schedule. BTS took the halftime stage at the FIFA World Cup final on July 19 (local time) in New Jersey — the first halftime show in World Cup history — on a bill that also featured global acts including Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber. The group returns to the same area for their ARIRANG world tour dates at MetLife Stadium on August 1–2.

FAQ

Where can I watch the “NORMAL” music video?

On Spotify (where it premiered July 17) and on YouTube via the official HYBE LABELS channel since July 19 — the video is embedded above.

What album is “NORMAL” from?

It is a track from BTS’s fifth studio album ARIRANG. The newly released Korean version comes in explicit, clean and instrumental editions.

Has BTS performed the Korean version live?

Once so far — the group premiered it at the Busan concert of the ARIRANG world tour in June, ahead of this studio release.

Source: Big Hit Music announcement, as reported by Yonhap News. Chart data: Billboard.