According to his agency, ARA, Kang Daniel enlisted as an active-duty soldier in the Republic of Korea Army on February 9. He will first undergo basic military training at a boot camp before being assigned to his unit to continue his service. No official enlistment event was held. The agency requested fans refrain from visiting the site, stating that, as it is a shared space for many soldiers and their families, safety concerns must be prioritized.
Earlier, on January 30, photos and videos of Kang Daniel with a shaved head spread across social media and online forums. In the footage, he smiles shyly, appearing slightly awkward with his new look, yet still impressing viewers with his tall frame and striking visuals prompting comments like, “He looks cool no matter what.”
Adding to the attention surrounding his enlistment, reports confirmed that a reunion project for Wanna One, the project group Kang Daniel once belonged to, is scheduled for the first half of this year. Kang Daniel’s side revealed that efforts were made for him to participate, at least partially, in the early filming stages before his enlistment. Kang Daniel himself hinted at his involvement while communicating with fans, replying to a question about participating in Wanna One by saying, “I get a lot of questions about this and want to answer, but it’s a reality show, right? And since I’m going (to the military) next year, I’ll probably be there for the intro at least.” His comment was widely interpreted as confirmation of his participation.
Previously, on January 1, Mnet released a teaser video titled “2026 Coming Soon, We Will Meet Again” along with handwritten messages from the Wanna One members, officially signaling their return. Ahead of their 10th debut anniversary, Wanna One is set to reunite with fans this April through a six-episode Mnet variety program titled We GO Again.
Kang Daniel first rose to stardom in 2017 after debuting as the center of Wanna One through Mnet’s Produce 101 Season 2. Following the group’s disbandment, he successfully transitioned into a solo career, earning widespread love for his music, performances, and continued influence in the K-pop industry.
Sources: Nate, Daum
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