Military enlistment: who’s getting out and when in 2013-2014

“Mandatory Military Service” are probably the three most despised words in a Kpop fan’s vocabulary. The very mention of the term, immediately invokes a cringe and causes fans to cry, wail, and panic. Why? As we all know, Kpop fans are one of the most dedicated and die-hard groups of fans in the world, so when their favorite artist has to serve his military service, naturally they become quite upset. Two years without new albums, tours, or seeing them perform on music shows can be quite traumatic for some fans. But still, the purpose of the conscription is important and meaningful to the Koreans; for the defense of  the country and largely seems as a transition stage of manhood from a boy to a man.

As a Kpop artist embarks on his journey into the Korean military, fans go to every length and distance to show their support by starting support campaigns and even “Countdown Till Release” time clock sites. “Who’s in” and “who’s getting out soon” are very hot topics among the fan community, so we at hellokpop set out to compile a release-date list for our readers. Currently there are twenty-two Korean celebrities serving in the military who are set to be discharged within the 2013-2014 cycle.

Check out the following list to see if your favorite artist will be discharged, and when.

*Note: All dates are estimated based on enlistment date and branch of service enlistment time requirements. This list is categorized by month of enlistment date.

[January – April ]

Kim Jang Hyun (Sunny Hill)
– Enlistment date: January 31, 2012
– Estimated discharge date: February/March 2014

Kim Yong Jun (SG Wannabe)
– Enlistment date: February 16, 2012
– Estimated discharge date: February/March 2014

Min Kyung Hoon (Singer/Actor)
– Enlistment date: March 6, 2012
– Estimated discharge date: December 2013

Jay Kim (TRAX)
– Enlistment date: March 26, 2012
– Estimated discharge date: January 2014

Dari (Dalmatian)
– Enlistment date: April 25, 2011
– Estimated release date: March 2013

[May – August ]

Kim Hye Sung (Actor)
– Enlistment date: June 14, 2011
– Estimated release date: April 2013

Kim Jae Wook (Actor)
– Enlistment date: July 5, 2011
– Estimated release date: May 2013

Kim Kyu Jong (SS501)
– Enlistment date: July 23, 2012
– Estimated release date: May 2014

Ji Hyun Woo (The Nuts)
– Enlistment date: August 7, 2012
– Estimated release date: May 2014

[ September – December ]

Kim Heechul (Super Junior)
– Enlistment date: September 1, 2011
– Estimated release date: July 2013

Jung Taewoo (Actor)
– Enlistment date: September 14, 2011
– Estimated release date: July 2013

Kim Jun (T-MAX)
– Enlistment date: September 29, 2011
– Estimated release date: July 2013

Kim Kyung Rok (V.O.S)
– Enlistment date: September 29, 2011
– Estimated release date: July 2013

Lee Hyun (8eight)
– Enlistment date: October 8, 2012
– Estimated release date: June 2014

Jung Ji-Hoon (Rain)
– Enlistment date: October 11, 2011
– Estimated release date: July 2013

Kim Jungmo (TRAX)
– Enlistment date: October 25, 2012
– Estimated release date: June 2014

Jung Yunhak (Supernova)
– Enlistment date: October 25, 2011
– Estimated release date: June 25, 2013

Hwanhee (Fly To The Sky)
– Enlistment date: October 27, 2011
– Estimated release date: August 2013

Leetuk (Super Junior)
– Enlistment date: October 30, 2012
– Estimated release date: August 2014

Sangchu (Mighty Mouth)
– Enlistment date: October 30, 2012
– Estimated release date: August 2014

Wheesung
– Enlistment date: November 7, 2011
– Estimated release date: August/September 2013

Ghun (X-5)
– Enlistment date: December 5, 2012
– Estimated release date: October/November 2014

Did you see your favorite artist mentioned here? Who’s release are you looking forward to the most? Did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments!