Netizens aren’t sure about the military’s intentions.
Koreaboo
Just now
SEVENTEEN Hoshi‘s recent military performance has sparked a heated debate among netizens related to mandatory enlistment.
Hoshi | @ho5hi_kwon/Instagram
While Hoshi is enlisted, due to his past training, the idol has been performing with the Korean Army Taekwondo Demonstration Team, and this has recently included activities in the US
Yet, a clip has sparked a heated debate online as a clip from a recent performance back in Korea, as the idol was announced as “SEVENTEEN’s performance leader Hoshi.”
not them introducing hoshi as svt performance leader hoshi and not as kwon soonyoung 😂 pic.twitter.com/9O94c2W4nG
— 난 bea 🍀 (@wonupogialways) April 26, 2026
While netizens love seeing Hoshi so active during his enlistment, the decision to introduce the idol by his stage name sparked confusion. Many thought that it was odd, as Hoshi is meant to be serving as a Korean, adding that it seems like the military wants to use him as “clout” and “propaganda” to push a more positive discourse on the enlistment. Others added that while Hoshi looks happy performing, it shouldn’t shape opinions on enlistment.
Technically, Hoshi is supposed to be serving as a Korean citizen so they should be using his government name. But because they wanna use his fame to bring more attention to their unit, they’re using his stage name and bringing up his group. 😮💨 https://t.co/kHGnsYR67O
— Blu ★ Diamond¹⁷ (@13_Gems_17) April 26, 2026
When you realize military is clout chasing 💀 https://t.co/PKKUqo5OBy
— Ishingi (@Caratboongie) April 26, 2026
As someone who has been going through multiple military eras, I’d say that this is so common that they used idols and celebrities as ‘the face’ of their specialized military units especially if the idols joined a marching band, musical, or a team demo like Hoshi that has a duty…
— nasi. (@semangkukuji) April 27, 2026
and not to get into how this is all part of a military propaganda.. they’re using his stage name instead of his real name and so many more examples.. it’s right there and it’s obvious
— ﾞ (@kidultvrse) April 27, 2026
SEVENTEEN