2018 has seen an unprecedented number of idol enlistments.
We’ve had BIGBANG’s G-Dragon, Taeyang, Daesung, and CNBLUE’s Yonghwa conscript in the earlier months of the year and thought that was the worse of it. However, recent months have seen INFINITE’s Sunggyu, 2PM’s Jun.K, and HALO’s Dino bid temporary goodbye to fans.
In the past week alone, there has been a flurry of enlistment news – with a few enlistments and one discharge.
2PM’s Wooyoung is the 3rd member to start his mandatory military service, as the singer entered the recruit training centre of the 21st Infantry Division on 9th July. He also enlisted at 2pm KST (1pm Malaysian time) in commemoration of the group’s name. As Wooyoung wanted to enlist quietly, his enlistment location and time were not revealed to fans.
Earlier in the week, CNBLUE’s Minhyuk and Jungshin also announced that they were going to fulfill their military service at the end of the month. They will follow Yonghwa, who enlisted in March.
They will both enter their respective recruit centres on 31st July and will continue with active duty service after their basic training. FNC Entertainment stated, “Their enlistment locations are different. They will both enter quietly without official event.”
Next to go to the military is 2AM’s Jo Kwon. Just today (Tuesday, 10th July), a source from his label Cube Entertainment revealed that the vocal powerhouse will be enlisting active duty on 6th August.
The flamboyant idol also wishes to enlist quietly and won’t be revealing his enlistment location and time. His enlistment means that it will be more challenging for 2AM to have a reunion.
On a brighter note, Super Junior’s Ryeowook was discharged today! This means that once Kyuhyun ends his military service next year, the group will be reunited. Ryeowook enlisted on 11th October 2016 and served at the 37th Infantry Division. At his discharge ceremony, fellow members Leeteuk, Eunhyuk, Siwon, and Donghae were there to welcome him.
“I thought I might be forgotten, so thank you for coming all the way here. I will promote a lot. I am always preparing an album, and Super Junior is also always preparing,” he revealed.
Other groups whose members are expected to enlist this year include Highlight and FTISLAND. Dujun and Junhyung will turn 29 this year while Hongki, Jonghoon, Gikwang, and Yoseob will turn 29 next year.
Both groups have expressed their wishes to enlist as a group, but it remains to be seen if they will go through with that plan.
