Mandatory military service is a requirement in certain countries like South Korea, where all able-bodied males are conscripted. This mandate extends to Korean celebrities as well, some of whom are set to complete their military service in 2025.
North and South Korea have had tense relations for a very long time. There have been moments of escalation, situations of deterrence, and even silly feuds, such as the garbage balloons incident in May 2024.
As a result, the South Korean government decided it would be wise to have a readily available sect of people trained in the military arts.
The Military Service Act has existed since 1957, and according to Article 3, “Every masculine gender of the Republic of Korea shall faithfully perform mandatory military service, as prescribed by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and this Act. A feminine gender may perform only active service or reserve service through volunteering.”
The military service is usually 18-21 months long, which means that quite a few popular Korean celebrities who had enlisted earlier will be done with their service by the end of 2025.
Korean celebrities scheduled to get discharged from the military in 2025
1. EXO’s Kai
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Enlistment date: 11 May 2023
Discharge date: 10 February 2025
Kim Jong-in, aka Kai, is a South Korean singer, dancer and actor. He is also a member of the South Korean boyband EXO and supergroup SuperM. In 2020, Kai made his official debut as a solo artist with his EP Kai and its lead single ‘Mmmh’. Being a fashion icon, Kai is the brand ambassador for Gucci and has also served as the muse for Yves Saint Laurent Beauty.
He assumed the role of a social service worker in the military after his basic training.
2. MONSTA X’s Kihyun
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Enlistment date: 22 August 2023
Discharge date: 21 February 2025
Kihyun whose full name is Yoo Ki-hyun is one of the Korean celebrities who will be discharged from military service in 2025. He is the main vocalist of MONSTA X with notable solo albums under his belt such as Voyager (2022), Fatal Love (2020) and more.
He enlisted in the military band with the 25th Infantry Division.
3. Kim Min-jae
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Enlistment date: 18 May 2023
Discharge date: 17 March 2025
Kim Min-jae is a South Korean actor and rapper who is widely known for his roles in TV shows like Dr Romantic (2016-2023), Tempted (2018), Guardian: The Lonely and Great God/Goblin (2016), and more recently in the web series Bloodhounds (2023).
Min-jae, after his five-week training programme, was moved to the Army Band. During his military service, he also reunited with his long-time friend V from BTS who reconnected with his friends while on a break from his duties. The duo’s first snapshot in eight years was posted by bodybuilder and trainer, Ma Sun-ho.
4. MONSTA X’s Hyungwon
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Enlistment date: 14 November 2023
Discharge date: 13 May 2025
Chae Hyung-won, mononymously known as Hyunwon, is a South Korean DJ, singer, model and member of MONSTA X. Aside from his music career, Hyungwon has also dabbled in acting projects, the most recent one being the web show CEO-dol Mart (2023).
In 2023, he became the brand ambassador for John Varvatos and was also selected by the luxury brand Givenchy to be the new model for Parfums Givenchy.
Hyungwon enlisted as an active-duty soldier and was promoted to corporal in June 2024.
5. Lee Do-hyun
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Enlistment date: 14 August 2023
Discharge date: 13 May 2025
Lee Do-hyun, aka Lim Dong-hyun, is one of the most popular Korean celebrities. An actor of great calibre, Do-hyun has appeared in some of the most popular K-dramas and movies of recent years. Some of his notable works are Sweet Home (2020-2024) and Exhuma (2024) amongst others. He is dating actress Lim Ji-yeon, his co-star from The Glory (2022-2023).
Do-hyun enlisted in the Air Force military band.
6. TEEN TOP’S Changjo
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Enlistment date: 20 November 2023
Discharge date: 19 May 2025
Changjo, aka Choi Jong-hyun, is the last member of Teen Top to enlist for military service. In October 2023, his agency announced that Changjo would be enlisting the following month.
He has been a member of Teen Top since 2010, but in 2023, he strayed to begin his career as a soloist by signing an exclusive contract with Beat Interactive. Despite the contract, Changjo still remains a part of the band.
7. BTS’ V
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Enlistment date: 11 December 2023
Discharge date: 10 June 2025
Another big name among Korean celebrities who will get discharged from military service in 2025 is V, aka Kim Tae-hyung.
Apart from his BTS work, V made his acting debut in 2016 with the TV series Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth. Additionally, he made his debut as a solo artist in 2023 with singles, ‘Love Me Again’ and ‘Rainy Days’. He is also the brand ambassador of Cartier and Celine among others.
He is serving in the Army’s Ssangyong unit of the 2nd Corps during his conscription.
8. BTS’ RM
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Enlistment date: 11 December 2023
Discharge date: 10 June 2025
BTS’ RM, aka Kim Nam-joon, enlisted in the military on the same day as his bandmate V. RM is a rapper, songwriter and record producer. He officially debuted as a solo artist in 2022 with his first studio album ‘Indigo.’
Known for his quiet luxury aesthetic, RM is the brand ambassador for the Italian luxury brand Bottega Veneta.
He is serving in the Special Task Force of the Capital Defense Command.
9. BTS’ Jungkook
Enlistment date: 12 December 2023
Discharge date: 11 June 2025
Endearingly called the it-boy of K-pop by his fans, Jeon Jung-kook is possibly the biggest K-pop idol of our time with his debut solo single, ‘Seven’ becoming the fastest song in 2023 to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify.
In 2022, Jungkook became the first Korean artist to release a song for the FIFA World Cup, titled ‘Dreamers’. He also performed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony.
One of the Korean celebrities whose discharge fans are most eagerly waiting for in 2025, he assumed the role of a cook during his military service.
Fans can’t wait for “Jung-cook’s” comeback!
10. BTS’ Jimin
Enlistment date: 12 December 2023
Discharge date: 11 June 2025
Jimin, aka Park Ji-min, enlisted for military service with his bandmate Jungkook. The duo, before starting their service, also launched a series, Are You Sure?! that documented their last days of freedom. Other BTS members like J-Hope and Jin completed their military service in 2024.
Jimin, one of the most popular members of BTS, launched his solo album ‘Face’ in 2023. He is also the brand ambassador for two LVMH labels, Dior and Tiffany and Co.
During his military service, he was assigned to the Artillery Fire Direction Centre.
11. Oh Hee–jun
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Enlistment date: 12 December 2023
Discharge date: 11 June 2025
Oh Hee-jun is a South Korean singer-songwriter and former member of the Korean boyband KNK. In 2021, after an almost six-year-long association with the band, Hee-jun decided to part ways to launch his solo career; he released his single on 16 October 2021.
12. Pentagon’s Shinwon
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Enlistment date: 21 December 2023
Discharge date: 20 June 2025
Shinwon is a Korean celebrity, former model, singer-songwriter and member of the K-pop group Pentagon. He is also one of the four remaining members of Pentagon with Cube Entertainment after five band members parted ways with the agency in 2023.
The remaining members’ contracts have been put on hold due to their military service. Related News & Content
