Some users alleged that idols are given alternative service roles, while regular citizens are typically required to serve in active duty.
Wonwoo will be the second SEVENTEEN member after Jeonghan to join the military. {Photo Credit: Instagram)
SEVENTEEN’s Jeonghan has already started his mandatory military service, and soon, his bandmate Wonwoo will join him. PLEDIS Entertainment confirmed that Wonwoo will begin his service on April 3. Due to this, he will miss the Tecate Pa’l Norte 2025 festival and the Japan fanmeeting in April. However, the agency assured fans that the singer will still participate in the CARAT LAND concert between March 20 and 21. While fans are sad to see him leave, some users have criticised the fact that he’ll be serving in public service rather than as an active duty soldier. They alleged that idols are given alternative service roles, while regular citizens are typically required to serve in active duty.
In the statement, the agency wrote, “We would like to share the news that WONWOO of SEVENTEEN will be starting his mandatory military service from April 3 this year. As such, he will not be able to attend any of SEVENTEEN’s engagements after his enlistment, including the upcoming Tecate Pa’l Norte 2025 festival and Japan fanmeeting in April. As announced before, WONWOO will be participating in the SEVENTEEN in CARAT LAND concert as scheduled from March 20 to 21 and will be appearing in various pre-recorded content.”
They further added that there will be no official event on the day of his enlistment and requested fans to refrain from visiting the site of his alternative military service. Instead, they must send their messages of support for WONWOO through Weverse.
wonwoo’s enlistment notice
“Hello.This is PLEDIS Entertainment.
We would like to share the news that WONWOO of SEVENTEEN will be starting his mandatory military service from April 3 this year. As such, he will not be able to attend any of SEVENTEEN’s engagements after his… pic.twitter.com/65zgCps8pG
— svtr
Before joining the military in South Korea, men are asked to go through a health check up. If someone has serious health problems, they get assigned to public service instead of regular military training.
Reacting to the post, a user asked on Qoo, “Does this group even have any members serving as active-duty soldiers?”Another added, “If he doesn’t seem to have any major health issues, then of course people are going to wonder why he’s assigned to public service.”
Some other surprised users pointed out that even people with serious illnesses are sometimes sent to active duty. While Wonwoo will join the military in April, Jeonghan was enlisted in September 2024.
