SEVENTEEN’s DK Begins Army Service After Emotional Farewell to CARATs
SEOUL — SEVENTEEN member DK has officially begun his mandatory military service, marking an emotional new chapter for the K-pop group and its global fanbase.
DK entered an Army training center on Tuesday, September 8, becoming the sixth SEVENTEEN member to begin military service. According to his agency, PLEDIS Entertainment, his service is scheduled to continue until March 7, 2028.
The enlistment came just one day after DK opened up to fans during an emotional livestream on Weverse.
DK shares heartfelt goodbye with CARATs
Ahead of his enlistment, DK appeared on Weverse with his newly buzzed haircut and spoke directly to CARATs about the upcoming period away from the group.
During the livestream, the normally cheerful singer became emotional while listening to music and eventually shed tears.
SBS reported that DK explained that the moment suddenly felt real after beginning the broadcast. He reassured fans that he would return safely and emphasized that his emotions were not because he was afraid of military service.
On the morning of his enlistment, DK also posted a message to fans through the SEVENTEEN community.
He told CARATs that he would miss them greatly, thanked them for their support and said he hoped to return having grown as a person. He also encouraged fans to take care of themselves, eat well, stay happy and avoid unnecessary stress.
Rather than focusing only on his own absence, DK's message placed the attention back on the fans who have supported him throughout his career.
DK becomes the sixth SEVENTEEN member to enlist
DK's enlistment is part of a broader period of military service for SEVENTEEN.
PLEDIS Entertainment previously confirmed that Vernon began his military service on August 20, while DK was scheduled to enter active-duty Army service on September 8. The agency also asked fans not to visit enlistment locations because the facilities are shared by recruits and their families.
With DK's enlistment, six members of SEVENTEEN have now entered military service.
The group's military-service period is expected to continue unfolding over the coming months. Mingyu is scheduled to begin his service on September 10, while Seungkwan and Dino are scheduled to enlist in the Army military band on October 26, according to PLEDIS and Yonhap.
SEVENTEEN is preparing for a temporary new era
The enlistments represent one of the biggest challenges facing SEVENTEEN's group activities since the act debuted in 2015.
However, the group has already taken steps to reassure fans that its story is far from over.
All 13 members renewed their contracts with PLEDIS Entertainment for a second time in July, according to The Korea Times.
Earlier this year, SEVENTEEN also held its 10th Carat Land fan meeting in Incheon, where the group addressed the approaching period of military service. The event carried particular emotional weight because more members were preparing to temporarily step away from group activities.
The group has repeatedly emphasized its intention to continue its journey together.
Fans will still see DK during his service
Although DK will not be able to participate in SEVENTEEN activities while serving, PLEDIS has said that fans will continue to receive content prepared before the members' enlistments.
The agency confirmed that various pre-recorded materials will be released during the members' periods of military service, allowing SEVENTEEN to maintain a connection with CARATs even while individual members are away.
That strategy could become particularly important as more members begin their service.
Instead of one sudden disappearance, SEVENTEEN's military chapter is expected to unfold gradually, with members entering service at different times and previously prepared content helping maintain the group's connection with fans.
DK's goodbye was emotional—but not a farewell forever
For CARATs, DK's enlistment marks the beginning of a temporary separation rather than the end of an era.
His final messages before entering the Army focused on gratitude, reassurance and his promise to return having grown from the experience.
The singer's emotional livestream also showed another side of the usually energetic performer: someone who was feeling the weight of saying goodbye to fans while still trying to reassure them.
Now, DK begins a new chapter away from the stage.
And for SEVENTEEN and CARATs, the countdown to his return has officially begun.
March 2028 may still be a long way away—but DK has already left fans with one message: keep taking care of yourselves, keep supporting one another, and wait for him to come back.