8 Korean stars being discharged from the military soon, from Exo’s Suho and BtoB’s Sungjae, to Hyunsik and Block B’s Zico – but will their bands make a comeback too?

Nov 10 , 2021

From Vixx’s Ken to Block B’s Zico, these K-pop and K-drama stars will be discharged from mandatory military duty soon. Photos: Netflix, SM Entertainment, Polham

Vixx’s Ken and The King: Eternal Monarch star Woo Do-hwan, who’s currently in talks to star in Netflix original Hunting Dogs, will be released on the same day

Winner’s Jinu, who enlisted right before the release of K-pop album ‘Remember’, and fellow boy group member Hoony, will be let out in December and January

Mandatory military service in South Korea means fans have to bid farewell to their favourite male K-pop and K-drama stars for a while, but the hiatus makes their return that much more exciting. Their stage comeback after around 20 months of service, a period during which fans hear little news about them, is always a highly-anticipated spectacle.

These are some of the Korean celebrities who we look forward to seeing on our screens again in the next few months.

BtoB’s Sungjae and Hyunsik (November 14)

BtoB’s Hyunsik and Sungjae are being discharged from military service on the same day. Photo: Cube Entertainment

The two youngest members of the boy group BtoB, 26-year-old Sungjae and 29-year-old Hyunsik, enlisted together on May 11, 2020. The other members have been active in the meantime, even debuting a subunit of the band titled BtoB 4U.

However, in December 2020, Cube Entertainment announced rapper Ilhoon’s departure from the group, according to Soompi. And in June this year, the musician was sentenced to two years in prison for buying and using marijuana, reports The Straits Times.

But the remaining members persevered: they showed their talent in the TV competition show Kingdom: Legendary War and released the special album “4U: Outside” in August, leaving fans optimistic about further full-group activities once Sungjae and Hyunsik return.

Winner’s Jinu and Hoony (December 31 and January 15)

Winner’s Jinu and Hoony enlisted in the South Korean military two weeks apart from each other. Photos: YG Entertainment

Jinu, vocalist of four-member boy group Winner, was the first to enlist in his group. The 30-year-old enlisted on April 2, 2020, right before the release of the group’s third studio album “Remember”, and is welcoming the new year with his discharge on December 31, according to Jazmine Media.

After the release of “Remember”, the group went on hiatus, with remaining members Yoon and Mino pursuing their solo careers.