K-pop boy band EXO member Kai enlisted in the military on May 11 with fellow members sending him off.
In photos posted on EXO’s social media accounts, Kai was wearing a white t-shirt and black pants, and sporting short hair. With him are EXO’s Suho, D.O, Xiumin, Chanyeol, Baekhyun, Chen and Sehun.
K-pop idol Kai with fellow EXO members on his enlistment day on May 11 (Instagram, Bubble app)
At the Army Training Center, Kai will undergo basic military training before serving in the alternative service as a social worker (social work personnel).
Kai became the seventh member of EXO to fulfill military service after Xiumin, D.O, Suho, Chen, Baekhyun and Chanyeol.
Under Korea’s Military Service Act, the duties of social workers are “to support social service affairs, such as social welfare, health, medical service, education, culture, environment, safety, etc. necessary for public interest pursued by State agencies, local governments, public organizations, and social welfare facilities.” They can also be assigned “to support administrative affairs, etc. necessary for public interest pursued by State agencies, local governments and public organizations.”
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— 카힝 (@J2nn0114) May 11, 2023
하..🥹 종인이는 웃는데 나는 왜 울어. . .🥹🥹😭#언제까지나_종인이와_함께할게#AlwaysHereForJongin#KAI #카이 #종인 #엑소카이 pic.twitter.com/d0exaOUOay
Last May 10, Kai posted a photo on the Bubble app showing him with very short hair.
“I like it more than I thought. My hair feels so good,” he wrote.
During his fan meeting last May 9, Kai said that “it was even more disappointing because I was preparing for a solo concert in August. I shed tears because of the passion and effort that I prepared so hard for.”
Last May 3, SM Entertainment, EXO’s agency, suddenly announced that Kai would enlist in the military amid preparations for EXO’s comeback.
“Kai was preparing for EXO's comeback scheduled for this year but due to a recent change in the Military Manpower Administration rules, he will enter the Army Training Center on May 11 and receive basic military training before serving in the alternative service as a social service worker,” it said.
It added, “We will inform you about the upcoming EXO album as soon as it is sorted out.”
Kai will serve as a social worker for 21 months and will be discharged on Feb. 10, 2025.