K-Pop Star Kang Daniel to Enlist for Mandatory Military Service on Feb. 9
K-pop singer Kang Daniel will enlist in the South Korean Army on Feb. 9 to fulfill his mandatory military service, his agency ARA said Wednesday.
Kang, one of South Korea’s most prominent solo artists, has previously signaled his enlistment plans, saying last year that he wanted to show fans “as much as possible” as a performer before beginning his service.
Last month, he held a fan concert at Seoul’s KBS Arena—described as his final public appearance ahead of enlistment—where he thanked supporters who have followed him throughout his career.
Kang rose to prominence in 2017 after finishing first on Mnet’s audition program Produce 101 Season 2. He debuted later that year as a member of the project group Wanna One, which quickly became one of the most commercially successful K-pop acts of its generation. After the group’s disbandment, Kang launched a solo career that also achieved strong chart success and international recognition.
Wanna One is scheduled to reunite later this year through a new Mnet reality program, marking the group’s first collective appearance in several years. Kang is reportedly in discussions to take part in early filming sessions before his enlistment, though his participation is expected to be limited.
All able-bodied South Korean men are required to complete approximately 18 months of military service, a requirement that has long shaped the careers and scheduling of the country’s entertainment industry.
