Even as many idols were reunited with their members after completing their mandatory service last year, there are many more idols who may be called upon to enlist in 2020, including '91 and 92' liners.
EXO (4 members)
Based on a compilation made by All Kpop, EXO is leading the groups who will have multiple members who may go on hiatus to fulfill their mandatory enlistment.
EXO's leader Suho will turn 29 on May 22 so it is expected that he could receive his enlistment date anytime soon. Chanyeol, Chen, and Baekhyun, who is a member of both EXO and leader of new group SuperM, could also be called upon to begin their service this year.
Luckily, Xiumin's discharge is set for December 6, 2020 and D.O will complete his service on January 25, 2021. EXO's maknae line of Kai and Sehun won't have to wait long before they are reunited with some of their hyungs while the others are busy serving the country.
WINNER (2 members)
WINNER may have to speed up promotions and comebacks with two out of four members up for enlistment this year. Jinwoo, who will celebrate his 29th birthday on September 26, and Seunghoon, who recently celebrated his 28th birthday, may receive their enlistment notices soon.
FT Island (2 members)
Jaejin, a '91 liner, and Minhwan, who is a year younger, are also due to enter mandatory service. Minhwan is expected to welcome twin baby girls into his family soon in addition to his son, but the Military Manpower Administration clarified that having three kids is not a grounds for exemption.
Other Kpop idols who are expected to begin their 21-month mandatory service in 2020 are ZE:A's Dongjun, Feeldog, BTOB's Hyunsik, INFINITE's L, Daewon, B1A4's Sandeul, IN2IT's Jiahn, VIXX's Ken, Block B's U-Kwon, PENTAGON's Jinho, HOTSHOT's Junhyuk, MONSTA X's Shownu, K.A.R.D's J. Seph, IN2IT's Yeontae, Block B's Park Kyung, VROMANCE's Chandong, Seunghyun, Baro, Zico, N. Flying's Seunghyub, Teen Top's C.A.P, 100%'s Jonghwan, and finally, BTS' Jin.
It was previously reported that fans were campaigning to have BTS members exempted from military service due to their accomplishments in the field of music.
However, government officials clarified that the exemption only applies to gold medalists in the Olympics or Asian Games, as well as award winning classical musicians, based on the current guidelines, Reuters reported.
