Several South Korean celebrities have completed their military service in 2023, marking not just the end of their military duties but also the beginning of new chapters in their careers. Let’s take a look at some of these stars and their exciting plans for the future.
Jang Ki Yong
Jang Ki Yong was discharged from the 15th Infantry Division on February 22nd, 2023, after serving in the military for approximately 1 year and 6 months. He renewed his contract with YG Entertainment before his enlistment, and he is currently gearing up for his TV return in a fantasy romance drama titled Although I Am Not a Hero, where he plays the lead alongside actress Chun Woo Hee.
SHINee’s Taemin
Taemin enlisted on May 31st, 2021, as part of the military band under the Ministry of National Defense Service Support Group. However, due to worsening symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders, he was transferred to the supplementary service on January 14th last year and was discharged on April 4th, 2023. Taemin made a dazzling return to the stage at the SBS Gayo Daejeon last year.
Seo Kang Joon
Having enlisted in November 2021, Seo Kang Joon completed his military service on May 22nd, 2023. He finished filming two projects before his enlistment: a Disney Plus original series titled Grid and a romantic film titled A Year-End Medley. He is currently in discussions for his next project.
Park Seo Ham
Park Seo Ham, who gained fame through popular BL drama Semantic Error, enlisted in the military on March 10th, 2022 and served as a social service agent after completing basic military training. He was discharged on December 9th, 2023, and has been cast in an upcoming historical drama titled Takryu, set in the Han River’s Mapo Port, the heart of Joseon’s logistics and economy.
Gong Myung
Gong Myung fulfilled his mandatory military service from December 14th, 2021, to June 13th, 2023. He is currently awaiting the release of his upcoming film, Citizen of a Kind. The movie is based on the true story of a laundromat owner in Hwaseong City who apprehended a crucial figure in a notorious voice phishing ring. Gong Myung plays the undercover informant Jaemin in the movie.
>> Gong Myung and Kim Min Ha Cast in Upcoming TVING Original Fantasy Romance Series
EXO’s Baekhyun
Baekhyun completed his alternative military duty on February 5th, 2023, as a social service agent. He recently established his independent label, I&B 100. He will pursue solo activities under the label alongside fellow EXO members Chen and Xiumin while continuing his EXO group activities under SM Entertainment.
>> EXO’s Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen Announce Independent Label for Solo and Sub-unit Activities
MONSTA’s X Shownu
Shownu completed his alternative military service as a social service agent on April 21st, 2023, after enlisting on July 22nd, 2021. Having announced his plans for a solo album during his appearance on Knowing Bros in December 2023, fans can anticipate Shownu’s return to the music scene.
B1A4’s Sandeul
Sandeul served his military duty as a social service agent from November 11th, 2021 to August 10th, 2023. During a radio show appearance, he revealed he put on 28kgs while in the military. He is now gearing up for a collaboration concert on drama and movie soundtracks in February.
Block B’s P.O.
P.O. entered the Marine Corps on March 28th, 2022, and completed his service on September 27, 2023. Despite the challenging training, he fulfilled his late mother’s wish for him to serve in an admirable place in the military. P.O. will return to the stage with the play Nuts from January 19th to February 4th.
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