The chances of a female K-pop idol enlisting in the military are slim, but never zero. In South Korea, unless granted an exemption, it is mandatory for men to serve in the military once they reach a certain age. Over the years, many K-pop groups have gone on hiatus while some of their members carry out their military service.
With all this in mind, you can imagine everyone’s surprise when it was announced that a female K-pop star would soon be enlisting in the military. The idol in question? MAMAMOO’s Solar (솔라). But is it true? Here’s what we know:
Over the weekend, an announcement was posted on Solar’s official Fromm account to inform fans that the idol’s Fromm fan messaging service would be temporarily suspended “due to her upcoming enlistment”. The notice also stated that the suspension would begin on 31st October 2025 at midnight (KST). As expected, the announcement has sparked shock and confusion among MOOMOOs (MAMAMOO’s fans) around the world.
Many fans suspected that the announcement could have been an error by the platform, suggesting that it might have accidentally used a template intended for male idols. Others made light of the situation, joking that Solar would be making history as the first female idol to enlist in the military. Some even said they wouldn’t be surprised if the singer did enlist, noting that she’s known for being rather unpredictable. And since women in South Korea can volunteer to serve in the military, it wouldn’t be entirely impossible for the “Floating Free” songstress to enlist.
At the time of writing, there has been no update from Solar or her agency, RBW Entertainment, to clarify whether the announcement was an error or if she really is enlisting in the military. Guess we’ll have to wait until the MAMAMOO member shares the news herself. What was your reaction when you found out about the announcement?
Sources: Twitter (1)(2), Allkpop, Mothership
