KUALA LUMPUR: Enlistment often leads to K-Pop groups missing a number of members during their promotions, or worse, be forced to take a hiatus while their members complete their service.
Among the K-Pop idols who will join the Korean military next year is Seungri, the youngest member of BIGBANG.
He will be joining the rest of his bandmates who have started serving in the military this year.
Xiumin, the oldest member of EXO will be the first from the boy group to enlist.
Next on the list is Yang Yoseob from Highlight who had only recently sent his fellow group member Yoon Doojoon off. Another member Lee Gikwang will also be enlisting sometime next month.
BtoB will soon be saying goodbye to Min-hyuk, it’s second member to enlist after its leader Eun-kwang. Min-hyuk has already been accepted to serve as a conscripted policeman, but his enlistment date has yet to be confirmed.
2PM’s Junho who has gained a lot of attention for his resemblance to Rain, will also enlist in 2019, as well as his bandmate Chansung.
FTISLAND members Lee Hong-ki and Choi Jong-hun, as well as VIXX’s members N and Leo, are also down for 2019 enlistment.
Other stars include Bang Yong Guk (from group B.A.P), Himchan, Dongwoo (INFINITE), Taeil (Block , B-Bom (Block , Thunder, Kisu (24K) and Ha Minwoo (ZE:A).
For the uninitiated, all men aged between 18 and 28 in South Korea are required to serve in the Korean army for approximately 21 months, depending on the enlisted branch — including celebrities and K-Pop idols.