There are many factors at play with celebrity enlistments.
Koreaboo
1 hour ago
Most Korean male citizens, including idols, must serve out a mandatory enlistment. The timing can vary by service and branch, but for most, a career pause of at least 18 months will occur, usually around their 28th birthday.
Recently, it was announced that a member of Stray Kids would be enlisting soon, the first from a popular group.
First Stray Kids Member’s Sudden Military Enlistment Notice Sparks Major Criticism
With the talk of enlistment, it appears that members of another fourth-generation group have been questioned about their enlistments.
Idols born in 1998 are turning 28 this year, meaning a large number who have waited the allowed time to enlist will begin enlisting. This includes ATEEZ, whose two members, Seonghwa and Hongjoong, turned 28 on April 3 and November 7, respectively.
ATEEZ’s Seonghwa (left) and Hongjoong (right) | X
A viral post, unrelated to ATEEZ, listed the supposed dates of ATEEZ’s required enlistments, seemingly implying the members were “evading” service.
— t⁷ (@taesoothe) November 10, 2026
Aint no wayy 2 members of ateez are actively evading enlistment and the entirety of kpop twitter is dead silent about it???,/&;€ https://t.co/6uvKrukBNi
— ♡ naya ⁷ saw bts (@mainpopkoo) November 10, 2026
While it is true that 28 is the general age deadline, it is not entirely true in all circumstances. For instance, in some cases, men pursuing higher education can delay past 28 with permission. In 2020, the Military Service Act was amended allowing “a pop culture artist who was recommended by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to have greatly enhanced the image of Korea both within the nation and throughout the world” to delay enlistment to the age of 30.
The “BTS Law” Allowing Some Idols To Apply For Further Deferment Has Been Passed
For ATEEZ, who were named 2020 promotional ambassadors for Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS), an affiliate of the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Tourism, and were honored with a Prime Minister’s Commendation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism & KOCCA, this is entirely possible.
| Korea.net
Furthermore, Korean men can postpone until they’re 28, international age, but they must enlist by December 31 of the year they turn 28. So, even without these allowances, the members of ATEEZ are not “evading enlistment” as the viral allegations claim.