Jeonghan of SEVENTEEN Completes Military Service, Group's Future Looks Bright
Jeonghan's Return Marks a New Chapter
Fans of SEVENTEEN have a significant reason to rejoice as Jeonghan has officially completed his mandatory military service, becoming the first member of the 13-member K-pop ensemble to return. He was discharged on Thursday after serving since September 26, 2024. This moment is particularly emotional for CARATs and the group, which is currently navigating an extended period of military enlistments. With several members either serving or preparing to enlist, Jeonghan's return heralds a series of exciting developments ahead.
Jeonghan's Military Service Journey
Jeonghan discharged from military
During his time in service, Jeonghan worked as a social service agent, an alternative to traditional military duties in South Korea. Throughout his enlistment, fans showed unwavering support, eagerly counting down the days until his return, with many expressing that they are in their 'military wife era.' His discharge is particularly significant as he is the first member of SEVENTEEN to complete military service, paving the way for new opportunities for both him and the group. Attention now turns to his upcoming activities and how he will contribute to the group's promotions amidst ongoing enlistments.
Ongoing Military Service for Other Members
While Jeonghan has concluded his service, other members are still fulfilling their military obligations. Wonwoo is currently serving as a social service agent, while Hoshi and Woozi are enlisted as active-duty soldiers. The enlistment phase for SEVENTEEN is far from over, with Mingyu, DK, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino expected to begin their military service in the coming months, which means the group will continue to experience rotational absences for some time.
Despite these separations, SEVENTEEN remains dedicated to its fans. On June 20 and 21, the group hosted its annual fan meeting, "Carat Land," at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium. This event marked their 10th fan meeting and was one of the last large-scale gatherings featuring many members before additional enlistments commence.
Contract Renewals and Future Prospects
SEVENTEEN members renew contract, no disbandment in near future
In a positive turn of events, just months after concerns about the group's future circulated online, SEVENTEEN has reassured fans by confirming that all 13 members have renewed their contracts with Pledis Entertainment. This announcement was made during the final performance of their "SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_ENCORE]" concert at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium in April. Leader S.Coups addressed the audience, sharing that the members had engaged in extensive discussions before deciding to continue together.
“It would have been nice if Hoshi and Woozi were together, but after having a lot of deep conversations among our members, all 13 of us decided to renew our contracts together,” he stated. He further reassured fans, saying, “We will work hard in the same boat and move forward.” SEVENTEEN has distinguished itself as one of the few K-pop groups to retain all 13 original members throughout its 11-year journey, consisting of S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino.