2018 will be remembered as the year of enlistments. 4/5 of BIGBANG, all of CNBLUE, and 3/6 of 2PM have all conscripted, leaving behind a void of 2nd generation boy groups.
Idols used to wait until they hit 30 before going for their mandatory service, but due to a new change in Korean enlistment law, they are now not allowed to do so. Instead, they have to enlist by 28. This means that some 20-odd idols who are born in 1989 and 1990 have to conscript by the end of 2018.
Here’s a list of idols who will bid temporary goodbye to their fans for 2 years, arranged by their groups:
1. BOYFRIEND’s Donghyun
Date of Birth: 12th February 1989
The group made their debut in 2011 with debut single “Boyfriend”. Donghyun was also in the idol rebooting show The Unit. As the eldest member of BOYFRIEND, he will be the first to enlist. The other members were born between 1993 and 1995, so it will be a few years before they are required to conscript.
2. Highlight’s Dujun, Junhyung, Yoseob, and Gikwang
Date of Births: 4th July 1989 (Dujun), 19th December 1989 (Junhyung), 5th January 1990 (Yoseob), 30th March 1990 (Gikwang)
With their enlistments, it means that 4 out of 5 members will be gone for 2 years. Maknae Dongwoon will be the only one left, but it won’t be long ’til he enlists as he is only a year younger than Yosoeb and Gikwang. While the group has talked about enlisting together, it is likely that Dongwoon will promote solo for another year before his service. Eldest member Dujun has already been prohibited from overseas travel.
3. SHINee’s Onew
Date of Birth: 14th December 1989
As the eldest of SHINee, Onew will need to enlist by this year. Key and Minho, who were born in 1991, won’t hit 28 until next year, while maknae Taemin is only 25. The group just celebrated their 10th anniversary with album “The Story of Light” this year.
4. 2PM’s Junho and Chansung
Date of Births: 25th January 1990 (Junho), 11th February 1990 (Chansung)
With Taecyeon, Jun.K, and Wooyoung having enlisted, 3 out of 6 members have conscripted. Junho and Chansung will need to conscript this year too, leaving Nichkhun (who is a Thai national) as the sole active member of 2PM. Meanwhile, as Taecyeon enlisted in the latter half of 2017, fans can expect him to discharge in 2019.
5. FTISLAND’s Hongki and Jonghoon
Date of Births: 2nd March 1990 (Hongki), 7th March 1990 (Jonghoon)
FTISLAND has stated their wish to enlist together multiple times. In an interview in February, guitarist Seunghyun said, “We’re mostly of the belief that in a band, all of the members should enlist around the same time. We’re thinking of going in two or three years, but we haven’t set a date yet or anything.” With Hongki and Jonghoon’s enlistment dates pending nearer, they will have to make a decision soon.
6. EXO’s Xiumin
Date of Birth: 26th March 1990
It feels like only yesterday that EXO made their debut. The group made their first public appearance on a music show with “Mama” in 2011, but it wasn’t until 2013 that they had their big break with “Wolf”. EXO-Ls have had a hard time in recent years, with the departures of 3 members and Lay’s hiatus from the group. It seems like they will not be seeing an OT9 reunion soon, as Xiumin is slated to enlist this year.
7. B.A.P’s Yongguk and Himchan
Date of Births: 31st March 1990 (Yongguk), 19th April 1990 (Himchan)
Are their enlistments a sign of their disbandment? In their last concert, the group revealed that this could be their last concert as 6. TS Entertainment has stepped in to say that the members were talking about their upcoming enlistments, but fans are skeptical.
8. VIXX’s N and Leo
Date of Births: 30th June 1990 (N), 10th November 1990 (Leo)
Debuting in 2012 with “Super Hero”, the versatile idol group has snagged themselves the title “concept-dol” due to their various creative concepts. Eldest member N has hit 28, and Leo will turn 28 soon. The other members are aged between 23 to 26, so it’s likely that VIXX will be reunited again in 2025.
9. Block B’s Taeil, B-Bomb, and Jaehyo
Date of Birth: 24th September 1990 (Taeil), 14th December 1990 (B-Bomb), 23rd December 1990 (Jaehyo)
When Taeil, B-Bomb, and Jaehyo enlists, Block B will be left with 4 members. After the trio, Zico, P.O, U-Kwon, and Kyung will likely enlist at the same or a similar time, as they were all born in 1992, with the exception of P.O, who is a 93-liner.
10. INFINITE’s Dongwoo
Date of Birth: 22nd November 1990
Leader Sunggyu has already enlisted in the first half of the year. Following him, Dongwoo will be the next to conscript. As maknae Sungjong will only hit 28 in 2021, the group is expected to reunite as 6 in 2023.
11. BTOB’s Eunkwang and Minhyuk
Date of Births: 22nd November 1990 (Eunkwang), 29th November 1990 (Minhyuk)
Eunkwang has already announced his military enlistment date – which will fall on 21st August. Minhyuk will have to enlist this year too, leaving behind members Changsub, Hyunsik, Peniel, Ilhoon, and Sungjae. With the exception of Peniel, who is an American, the others will need to go to the military by 2023, when maknae Sungjae hits 28.
12. BIGBANG’s Seungri
Date of Birth: 12th December 1990
With all of his hyungs enlisted in the military, maknae Seungri remains the only BIGBANG member active currently. He has had a successful year, appearing in many popular variety shows like “My Ugly Duckling”, “Knowing Bros”, and “I Live Alone”. Seungri also recently held his first solo concert in Seoul, titled “The Great Seungri“, named after his first full solo album. Sadly, fans will have to bid goodbye to him, as he is required to enlist by 2018. However, this could mean that BIGBANG will be reunited by late 2020.
13. MYNAME’s Gunwoo
Date of Birth: 30th January 1989
MYNAME made their debut in 2012 with “Hello & Goodbye”. The group has had constant Japanese promotions, with their latest being 6th album “Kiseki” with single “Wiz”. Eldest member Insoo enlisted in October last year, which means that Gunwoo will be the 2nd member to enlist. Maknae Chaejin will be 28 in 2023, meaning that MYNAME will most likely be reunited in 2025.
Any other idols that we missed out?
Source: soompi (1)
