Stray Kids’ Lee Know set for military enlistment

Stray Kids member Lee Know is set to enlist in the South Korean military in the first quarter of 2027, becoming the first member of the chart-topping eight-piece K-pop group to fulfill his mandatory service.

JYP Entertainment, the label behind Stray Kids, announced the 28-year-old idol’s enlistment plans in a statement posted on the group’s X account.

“Lee Know is scheduled to fulfill his mandatory military service in the first quarter of 2027,” JYP wrote.

“As a result, he may be unable to participate in some of the activities scheduled for the first quarter of 2027,” the company said.

JYP said Lee Know would “continue to connect” with fans called STAY through various content before the idol joins the military.

“We understand that this news may come as a surprise to many STAY, and we appreciate your kind understanding,” JYP said, adding that further details would be shared “separately when they become available.”

Under South Korean law, able-bodied men are required to serve at least 18 months in the military, generally before turning 30, as the country remains technically at war with neighboring North Korea.

Born Lee Min-ho, Lee Know debuted in 2018 as a member of Stray Kids, one of K-pop’s most popular boy bands, which has scored nine No. 1 albums on the US Billboard 200 chart.

The group’s other members are Bang Chan, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N.