SEVENTEEN DK‘s heartbreaking live broadcast before his enlistment sparks a heated debate about South Korea’s military service.
SEVENTEEN’s DK | @dk_is_dokyeom/Instagram
On September 8, DK enlisted for his military service.
SEVENTEEN’s Vernon And DK Announce Military Enlistments + Schedule Details
Ahead of his enlistment, DK shared photos of his newly shaved head.
The idol also did a live broadcast, but it sparked major heartbreak among fans.
During the live, DK started crying, and it all seemed extremely overwhelming for both the idol and fans as they realized that he would be enlisting the next day. In particular, DK is known as a “Happy Virus” in K-Pop, so it was even harder for fans to see the idol crying.
DOKYEOM IS CRYING SO HARD I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE😭😭😭 #도겸
🐰I’m sorry… i don’t wanna cry…
🐰I’m flustered.. I’m sorry, i don’t want to surprise you
🐰I’m sorry pic.twitter.com/hcAMegsfEm
— ⁽̨̡ ¨̮ ⁾̧̢🌻 (@KyeomsBaekery) September 7, 2026
In particular, it sparked a debate about the purpose and impact of military enlistment, not related to idol careers but on someone’s wellbeing and mental health.
i get why he’s genuinely breaking down over this so bad. the military genuinely drills and torments people to almost absolute emotional numbing and rationality in case of emergencies, and for someone as positive and bright as dokyeom to await what he’s inevitably doomed to + https://t.co/F5R8RnJhWV
— kiki (@novaIuna) September 7, 2026
This is the enlistment that’s hurting the most because he’s so visibly unhappy to go there my god i need to hit something pic.twitter.com/3jjbXe3Dww
— nini ⚡️SAW SVT 💗💙 (@jenminini) September 7, 2026
i wish kpop fans spoke more about mandatory military service not in relation to their idols not being able to perform and put out music for a couple years but to the actual trauma that real people are enduring out of legal obligation https://t.co/cax5efhzSV
— el ✄ hyun thinker (@xloviesgold) September 8, 2026
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