While many members from the band have started and even completed their mandatory military enlistment, EXO’s Kai has had to suddenly start his military enlistment. On May 3, 2023, SM Entertainment officially shared that the artist will be joining the military even though he was scheduled to participate in the EXO Comeback this year. According to the entertainment agency, the situation had to develop this way because of certain regulations that were changed by the Military Manpower Administration.
They had also made it clear that since the artist requested he start his service in peace, the enlistment location and timing will not be shared with anybody. Additionally, there will be no special event that day, which essentially entails that fans are requested not to gather in order to give the artist his privacy. SM Entertainment also reassures fans that if there is any latest news about the music releasing, they will be told about it.
Kai will be joining the military service on May 11, 2023, and will receive basic training before starting his assignment as a public service worker. He will be the seventh member of the band to start his mandatory military service. Previously, members like Xiumin, D.O, Suho, Chen, Chanyeol, and Baekhyun started and even completed their service. The artist, whose legal name is Kim Jong-in, originally debuted with the members mentioned above and Sehun, Kris Wu, Lay Zhang, Z Tao and Lu Han in 2012.
However, Kris Wu, Lu Han and Z Tao have all left the band for various reasons, including some to pursue solo music. Meanwhile, Kai has continued to produce music with the band and started making solo music in 2020 with his self-titled extended play Kai. With the lead single Mmmh, this EP became the first of his many projects. His most recent one was Rover which was his third EP and had the lead single with the title Rover. The album contained this song and five others, including Black Mirror, Slidin’, Bomba, Say You Love Me, and Sinner.
Hearing the news of this military enlistment, fans have been incredibly supportive of his decision, but at the same time, they are motivating him to be strong through this. According to the responses, fans had expressed their support after he went to the hospital for a high fever, went home and just started to work on the music for EXO before he was asked to join the military.
Check out Fan Reactions to EXO’s Kai’s Military Enlistment News
Rover is currently streaming on Spotify. What message do you have for Kai as he begins his military enlistment? Let us know in the comments below.
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