Kai of EXO (SM Entertainment)
Updated 6:59 PM
Kai of EXO began his mandatory military service today, according to SM Entertainment.
He is to serve as an alternative social worker after receiving basic military training at a boot camp.
He is the seventh member of the group to enlist after Xiumin, D.O. Suho, Chen, Baekhyun and Chanyeol.
The specific time and place of his admission have not been revealed.
“We respect Kai’s decision to go as quietly as possible, so we will not share the time and place of his military admission. There is no official event prepared for today, so we ask for the cooperation of Kai’s fans,” said SM Entertainment.
Kai’s enlistment came abruptly amid EXO’s preparation for its first full-unit comeback after five years this year with Baekhyun’s return from the military.
“I had prepared a lot for the comeback as EXO, and it’s upsetting that I cannot be a part of it. My thoughts are always focused on you guys (fans). Please look forward to how I’ll be back in less than two years, as I will be ready for it,” Kai told his fans during a fan meeting in Seoul on Tuesday.
Just like his bandmates who completed their military service, Kai had an emotional send-off from EXO, as the boy group’s official Instagram account shared a glimpse of the “Rover” singer before entering the military.
EXO’s Chanyeol wished Kai luck on his enlistment on his personal Instagram page, where he can be seen giving the group’s main dancer and center an affectionate piggyback ride.
“Don’t get hurt and come back safely,” he said in Korean.
Born as Kim Jong-in, Kai made his debut as the main dancer, center, and vocalist of EXO after a series of intricate teasers. He then debuted as a soloist in November 2020 with his first EP “Kai.” EDV