Stray Kids’ Military Enlistment Update Sparks Upset
As Stray Kids prepare to release their new mini album THIS & THAT on August 7, the group has also begun talking about a topic many fans have been hoping to avoid… military enlistment.
The comeback marks the group’s first album in nine months and is accompanied by a new world tour announcement.
During a recent interview promoting the album, the members were asked about their future enlistment plans. Lee Know — the oldest Korean member at 27 — responded that he sees military service as a natural responsibility.
I believe fulfilling the duty of national defense is natural. If I am called upon, I will faithfully carry out my assigned duties. We haven’t discussed specific plans for our activities during our military hiatus, but what is certain is that we will all come back together.
Since there are a lot of fans who will be waiting for us, I want to repay the love we have received from them. If you wait just a little longer, we will be back soon.
— Lee Know
In South Korea, all able-bodied men are generally required to complete around 18 to 21 months of mandatory military service, depending on their branch of service. Most idols enlist before the legal deadline, which is tied to their age, although the exact timing varies by individual circumstances.
Stray Kids debuted in 2018 through JYP Entertainment‘s survival show of the same name and have now spent more than eight years together as a group. With Lee Know and fellow Korean members nearing enlistment age, fans know the group’s military era is no longer a distant possibility.
Meanwhile, Bang Chan and Felix (who hold Australian citizenship) are not subject to South Korea’s mandatory military service.
Lee Know’s comments quickly spread across social media, where many fans praised his mature outlook while admitting they were emotional about the group’s eventual hiatus.
Rather than questioning the members’ decision to serve, most fans said they were simply saddened by the thought of spending years without full-group promotions.
Just shoot me it will hurt less 🥺😭 pic.twitter.com/ElFnV68Y3O
— ༺𝙍𝙄𝘼 & 𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙏༻ (@kw2urstrwbrry) August 6, 2026
everytime he talks about military,, my heart stops for a sec bcs well,, its sucks,, but then I know I’ll find comfort & reassurance in his answers ….
sure ill miss them like hell but ill wait patiently too 😔❤️🩹 https://t.co/9eNUogMUgg
— 𝓑 — ౨ৎ‧₊˚ (@ninoononie_) August 6, 2026
been a stay for almost nine years and have biased lee know just as long. the members serving military is inevitable we all know that but i do get a bit sad and nervous thinking about them not being… there 😭 https://t.co/FZdWRL1cqz
— syd ∞⁸ (@_Cursed_Love_) August 6, 2026
Many also said Lee Know’s promise that Stray Kids would reunite after their service gave them some reassurance.
“we will all come back together for sure”
our stray kids will always be 8 🥹 https://t.co/JeEC1rr5bl— aleyna & that (@rachaflex) August 6, 2026
they will definitely come back together to us 🥹 https://t.co/9X22eSmHnE
— 𝐦𝐣 & 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 (@gnabnahc97chris) August 6, 2026
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