Vernon, DK Military Enlistment
SEVENTEEN Members Vernon and DK Announce Military Enlistment Dates for August, September
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Jeonghan completed his military service in June 2026.
2
Wonwoo is currently in alternative service, while Hoshi and Woozi enlisted earlier and are scheduled to be discharged in March 2027; Wonwoo is slated for discharge in January 2027.
3
Joshua, The8, and Jun are not South Korean citizens and therefore not required to perform mandatory military service.
4
Vernon holds dual American and Korean citizenship, which does not exempt him from mandatory service.
SEVENTEEN members Vernon and DK will begin South Korea's mandatory military service this summer, Pledis Entertainment confirmed. Vernon enlists on August 20, while DK follows on September 8 as an active-duty Army soldier, according to Forbes and Korea Herald.
Pledis asked fans — known as Carats — not to attend the enlistment ceremonies out of respect for the members' families. Both Vernon and DK will stay connected with fans through pre-recorded content during their service, Yahoo News reported.
Vernon's Dual Citizenship Does Not Exempt Him From Service
Vernon holds both American and Korean citizenship. Under South Korean law, that dual status does not exempt him from mandatory military service. All able-bodied Korean men are required to serve, regardless of other nationalities held.
DK will serve as a full active-duty soldier in the Army. Vernon's specific branch and service type have not been publicly confirmed ahead of his August 20 enlistment date, according to Korea Herald.
SEVENTEEN's Military Timeline Is Nearly Complete
Several SEVENTEEN members are already deep into their service obligations. Hoshi and Woozi enlisted earlier and are set to be discharged in March 2027. Wonwoo is in alternative service and will finish in January 2027. Jeonghan already completed his service in June 2026.
Three members — Joshua, The8, and Jun — are not South Korean citizens, so they are not required to serve at all. With Vernon and DK now set to enlist, the bulk of the group's Korean members will have fulfilled their duties by early 2027, Yahoo News noted.
Renewed Contracts Signal Long-Term Commitment to the Group
Both Vernon and DK recently renewed their contracts with Pledis Entertainment ahead of their enlistment dates. The renewals signal the members' plans to return to full group activities once their service is complete, Forbes reported.
Pledis confirmed that group activities will pause for Vernon and DK during their service period. The label said it plans to resume full activities once both members are discharged and return in good health.
Pre-Recorded Content Will Keep Fans Engaged During Absence
Pledis said both members prepared content before enlisting. That material will be released while they serve, keeping fans connected to Vernon and DK throughout their time away. The move follows a pattern used by other K-pop acts navigating mandatory service, according to When In Manila.
South Korean mandatory military service typically lasts around 18 to 21 months for active-duty soldiers. If both Vernon and DK enlist as planned this summer, fans could expect their return sometime in late 2026 or early 2027, based on standard service timelines.
Sentiment
Mostly PositiveNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
20
Articles
7
Reach
27
Topics
A
AnonymousAuthor
