Seventeen’s DK begins military service after emotional farewell to fans

Seventeen's vocalist DK began his compulsory military service on September 8, 2022, by entering an Army training center for active-duty enlistment, according to Pledis Entertainment, his agency. His enlistment is set to conclude in March 2028. Lee Seok-min, DK's real name, is the sixth member of the 13-member group to undergo military service.

Pledis disclosed that DK chose a discreet entry into the military out of respect for his fellow recruits and their families. The day prior to reporting for duty, DK held a livestream, announcing his departure from the group with a somber demeanor. Struggling to hold back tears, he remarked, "My head looks so round now," in reference to his newly cropped hair.

"I turned on the livestream to tell you I'd serve well and come back, but I don’t know why I'm crying," he confessed. He went on to express that the reality of enlistment had begun to set in and that he anticipated missing his fans "a lot." Seventeen, formed in 2015, extended its contracts as a full group for the second time in July, a rare occurrence in the K-pop industry.

At the time, members stated they remained together because "there is nothing we cannot accomplish with one another," and they expressed a shared wish to continue as a cohesive unit.