In today’s world, war remains a constant threat. That’s why several countries, including South Korea, have made military service mandatory. No matter what your job is or how rich or famous you are, you must serve in the military. By law, all able-bodied men are required to serve, while women can join only if they choose to volunteer for active or reserve duty. Military service usually lasts between 18 to 21 months.
Due to this rule, several Korean celebrities have taken a break from the spotlight to complete their military service. Now in 2025, many well-known celebrities, including K-pop and K-drama stars, are returning from service, and fans are eagerly waiting for their comeback. This year, big names, including BTS members and popular actors, are making their returns, and fans all over the world are excited to see them again. Here’s the list of Korean celebrities, some of who have already returned and others who are set to return from military service in 2025.
Lee Ji-hwan aka Joohoney
Lee Ji-hwan, who is known as Joohoney (Jooheon), began his military service on July 24, 2023, as an active-duty soldier. During his service, he reunited with his long-time friend RM from BTS, who shared a photo of them together on Instagram in May 2024. He completed his service on January 23, 2025.
Lee is a South Korean rapper and singer and a member of the group MONSTA X. He made his solo debut in 2023 with his EP Lights.
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Kim Jin-hwan aka Jay
Jay, also known as Kim Jin-hwan, the main vocalist, dancer and face of K-pop group iKON, took to his Instagram account to announce that he will be enlisting in the military on July 20, 2023. He completed his military service on January 17, 2025.
Jay has been in iKON group since 2015, and became the leader after B.I. left in 2019. He made a solo debut with the song ‘Paradise’ in 2023, just a month before he joined the military.
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Kim Jong-in aka Kai
Kim Jong-in, better known as Kai, started his military service on May 11, 2023. The South Korean singer, dancer and actor, who, after finishing his basic military training, served as a social service worker in the military. He completed his service on February 10, 2025.
Kai is a member of the boy group EXO and the supergroup SuperM. With EP Kai and the main song ‘Mmmh,’ he started his solo career in 2020. He is known as a fashion icon and is a brand ambassador for Gucci. He has been a muse for Yves Saint Laurent Beauty.
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Lee Dong-hyun
Lee Dong-hyun, who is known as Lee Do-hyun, gained popularity through TV series like Sweet Home and Youth of May. The South Korean actor started his military service on August 14, 2023 and served in the military band of the Republic of Korea Air Force. His military service was completed on May 13, 2025. His agency, YUEHUA Entertainment Korea confirmed that he has been receiving several offers and is likely to return to acting soon.
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Kihyun aka Yoo Ki-hyun
Yoo Ki-hyun, who goes by Kihyun, is the main vocalist of MONSTA X. He is also known for his solo albums like Voyager and Fatal Love. The South Korean singer started his military service on August 22, 2023, as a part of the 25th Infantry Division’s military band. He was discharged on February 21, 2025.
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Hyungwon aka Chae Hyung-won
Chae Hyung-won, better known as Hyungwon, is a South Korean DJ, singer, model and a member of MONSTA X. He has also acted in a few shows, including the web series CEO-dol Mart (2023). In 2023, he was named a brand ambassador for John Varvatos, and also became a model for luxury brand Parfums Givenchy.
Hyungwon joined the military service on November 14, 2023, as an active-duty soldier. In June 2024, he was promoted to corporal. He was discharged from military service on May 13, 2025.
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Song Kang
South Korean actor Song Kang, who is known for shows like Sweet Home and Love Alarm, joined military service after filming My Demon on April 2, 2024. He is currently serving in the military and is expected to complete his service by October 2025.
Song Kang is the brand ambassador for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in the Asia-Pacific region.
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Kim Min-jae
The South Korean actor and rapper, who rose to fame with the TV shows like Dr Romantic, Tempted, and web series Bloodhounds, joined military service in September 2023. After five-week training programme, he was moved to the Army Band. During his military service, he reunited with his long-time BTS friend V. Their photo together after eight years was shared by bodybuilder and trainer, Ma Sun-ho. Kim completed his service on March 17, 2025.
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Kim Min-kyu
South Korean actor Kim Min-kyu, who rose to fame with the show Queen: Love and War and Business Proposal, began his military service as an active-duty soldier with a private ceremony on April 1, 2024. He is expected to be discharged by September 30, 2025. His fans are eagerly waiting for his return to acting.
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Kim Tae-hyung AKA V
BTS’ V began his acting career in 2016 with TV show Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth. In 2023, he began his solo music journey with songs- Love Me Again and Rainy Days. Kim is also a brand ambassador for major brands like Cartier, Celine and others. He began his military service on December 11, 2023, and is currently serving in Army’s Ssangyong unit under the 2nd Corps. He is expected to be discharged in June 2025.
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BTS’ RM AKA Kim Nam-joon
RM, also known as Kim Nam-joon from BTS, joined the military on the same day as his bandmate V. Currently, he is serving in the Special Task Force under the Capital Defense Command. The rapper is expected to be discharged on June 10, 2025.
The rapper, who is also a songwriter and record producer, began his solo career in 2022 with his first album, Indigo. He is also the brand ambassador for the Italian luxury brand Bottega Veneta. RM is famous for his calm and classy style.
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BTS’ Jungkook aka Jeon Jung-kook
Lovingly called the “it-boy” of K-pop, Jeon Jung-kook is one of the biggest K-pop stars today. His solo debut song, Seven set a record in 2023 by becoming the fastest track to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify. He made history by releasing Dreamers, becoming the first Korean artist to create a song for the FIFA World Cup in 2022. He also performed at the World Cup opening ceremony the same year. He enlisted on December 12, 2023, and is among the most awaited celebrities to complete service in 2025. During his military service, he took on the role of a cook. He is expected to be discharged on June 11, 2025.
BTS’ Jimin aka Park Ji-min
Jimin, who is one of BTS’ most loved members, joined the military service with his bandmate Jungkook. Before enlisting, the duo released a show called Are You Sure?! which gave a glimpse of their final days before service. During his service, he was assigned to the Artillery Fire Direction Centre. He is expected to be discharged in June 2025.
Jimin released solo album Face in 2023. He is also a brand ambassador for two LVMH brands, Dior and Tiffany & Co.
Sehun aka Oh Se-hun
Sehun is the youngest member of EXO. He rose to popularity with films and shows like Secret Queen Makers and All That We Loved and is also a brand ambassador for luxury brand Dior. The rapper and actor, who joined military service on December 21, 2023, is expected to be discharged on September 20, 2025. Suho, the leader of EXO, confirmed that the group is getting ready to hold a full-group fan meeting later this year.
Taeyong aka Lee Tae-yong
Taeyong debuted with the group NCT in 2016. In 2019, he became a member of the K-pop group SuperM and in June 2023, he made his solo debut with the EP Shalala. He is he global brand ambassador for the Spanish luxury brand Loewe. The rapper and songwriter was recently named the Korean ambassador for Benefit Cosmetics.
Taeyong began his military service on 15 April, 2024 and is currently serving in the Navy as active-duty soldier. He is expected to be discharged in December, 2025.
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