Fans of SEVENTEEN have received both surprising and emotional news as the group officially announced the enlistment schedule for its remaining Korean members. According to the members, Mingyu, DK, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino will all begin their mandatory military service this year in an effort to minimize the group’s hiatus period.

The news was shared directly by the members during a recent broadcast. Rather than following the more common K-pop approach of staggered enlistments over several years, SEVENTEEN has chosen a bold strategy designed to help the group return with a complete lineup as soon as possible.

During the conversation with fans, Seungkwan explained that the decision came after extensive discussions and was made with the group’s long-term future in mind. He stated that the members wanted to shorten the disruption caused by military service as much as possible so they could reunite with fans as a full 13-member team at the earliest opportunity.

What surprised many fans the most was the inclusion of Vernon and Dino in this enlistment plan. As the two youngest members of the group, both still had considerable time before they would be required to fulfill their military obligations. However, they reportedly chose to enlist earlier than necessary in order to support their fellow members and prevent the group’s activities from being interrupted over an extended period of time.

SEVENTEEN’s military service process has already been underway. Woozi, Hoshi, and Wonwoo are currently serving in the military. Meanwhile, Jeonghan is entering the final stage of his service and is expected to be discharged next month.

Several members are exempt from South Korea’s mandatory military service due to their foreign citizenship. Joshua is a U.S. citizen, while Jun and The8 hold Chinese citizenship. Their status allows the group to maintain certain activities while the Korean members complete their military duties.

With Mingyu, DK, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino set to enlist this year, all Korean members of SEVENTEEN are expected to complete their military service before the end of 2027. The move is being viewed as a rare strategic decision in the K-pop industry, highlighting both the group’s unity and its long-term vision.

Although the coming years will undoubtedly be challenging for fans, SEVENTEEN has offered a hopeful promise in return: the group plans to reunite as a complete 13-member lineup in 2028. After years of fulfilling their national duties, all members are expected to stand together on stage once again, opening a new chapter for one of the most successful third-generation K-pop boy groups.

For the CARAT community, this announcement is more than just military service news. It serves as a strong statement about SEVENTEEN’s future and their commitment to staying together for the long term. The members’ proactive approach to enlistment demonstrates their determination to continue their career as a group while maintaining their bond with fans around the world.

Sources: Saostar