SEVENTEEN's Visual Star MINGYU Enlists Tomorrow, Expected Return in 2028
AM730 · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN

Summary
SEVENTEEN member MINGYU will enlist as a social service worker on September 10, 2026, with an expected discharge date of June 9, 2028 . The 29-year-old, widely recognized as the K-pop group's visual star, made a final public appearance at a Korean brand event where he debuted a freshly shaved buzz cut, drawing enthusiastic reactions from fans who maintained that their idol remained stylish despite the dramatic change in hairstyle .
Key Points
- MINGYU, 29, will serve as a social service worker starting September 10, 2026, with discharge scheduled for June 9, 2028
- Before military enlistment, he attended a brand event in South Korea alongside Lee Soo-hyuk and Lim Ji-yeon, where his new buzz cut caused a sensation
- The SEVENTEEN star has made multiple trips to Hong Kong, including performing at Kai Tak Stadium during the group's world tour
- In July 2026, MINGYU appeared at a Tsim Sha Tsui mall for a brand endorsement event, drawing over 1,000 fans who packed all three floors
- During the July event, an incident occurred when someone in the crowded venue reportedly lost bladder control, prompting staff to deploy air freshener
Why It Matters
MINGYU's military enlistment marks another milestone in the ongoing series of mandatory service obligations for male celebrities in South Korea, affecting numerous K-pop groups and their fans worldwide . The outpouring of fan reaction underscores the significant cultural and economic impact that star departures have on the entertainment industry, particularly in markets like Hong Kong where Korean pop culture enjoys immense popularity .
MINGYU's military enlistment marks another milestone in the ongoing series of mandatory service obligations for male celebrities in South Korea, affecting numerous K-pop groups and their fans worldwide . The outpouring of fan reaction underscores the significant cultural and economic impact that star departures have on the entertainment industry, particularly in markets like Hong Kong where Korean pop culture enjoys immense popularity .