DK of SEVENTEEN Reportedly September Military Enlistment During Emotional Weverse Live

SEVENTEEN’s Dokyeom, better known as DK, told fans directly that he will begin his mandatory military service this September. The vocalist shared the news himself during a Weverse Live on July 26, appearing alongside Seungkwan in casual clothes, holding a tablet, and asking CARATs not to cry while promising to return safely and in his best form.

According to reports circulating from the live stream and fan accounts sharing clips, DK wanted CARATs to hear the details from him first. An official statement from Pledis Entertainment is expected soon. His service is projected to last roughly 18 months, lining up with a possible return in early 2028. This follows the group’s earlier confirmation that Mingyu, DK, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino would all enlist in the second half of 2026 to keep the overall hiatus as short as possible.

The timing fits a now-familiar pattern for the group. Jeonghan enlisted in September 2024 and became the first member discharged in June 2026 after serving as a social service agent. Woozi and Hoshi followed in mid-September 2025 as active-duty soldiers. Wonwoo is also currently serving. SEVENTEEN has kept activity going with available members, including recent Carat Land fan meetings and unit projects, while aiming for a full 13-member reunion in 2028. Foreign-citizen members Joshua, Jun, and The8 remain exempt, helping maintain some continuity.

International fans responded with a mix of support and the expected September melancholy. Many noted the recurring late-summer departures “year after year, September keeps taking another member” while others focused on the shared timeline that should bring everyone back together sooner. Messages of encouragement poured in, with CARATs promising to wait and looking ahead to the 2028 full-group era.