Stray Kids member Lee Know will begin his mandatory military service in the first three months of 2027, becoming the first member of the K-pop group to enlist.
JYP Entertainment announced the news on Thursday, 5 November, confirming that the 28-year-old singer and dancer could miss some of the group’s activities scheduled for early next year.
The agency did not provide an exact enlistment date or say where Lee Know would serve. It promised to share more information once the details were confirmed.
Before leaving for military service, Lee Know plans to spend time with fans, known as STAY, through solo projects and other content.
«We understand that this news may come as a surprise to many STAY, and we appreciate your kind understanding,» JYP Entertainment said in its official announcement.
The company also encouraged fans to continue supporting Lee Know and the remaining members during his absence.
Read more: Stray Kids’ Lee Know donates 100mn won to Nepal flood relief
리노 병역 이행 및 향후 스케줄 관련 안내 Notice Regarding Lee Know’s Military Service and Upcoming Schedule 안녕하세요, JYPE 입니다. Stray Kids 결성 이후 지금까지 변함없이 과분한 마음 보내주시는 STAY 분들께 항상 감사합니다. 리노는 2027년 1분기 병역 의무 이행을 예정하고 있습니다. 이로 인해 리노는 2027년 1분기 예정된 스케줄에 일부 불참할 수 있으나 입대 전 다양한 콘텐츠와 개인 활동을 통해 STAY 분들을 만날 예정입니다. 갑작스러운 공지로 인해 놀라셨을 STAY 분들의 너른 양해를 부탁드리며 현시점에서 안내드리기 어려운 상세 내용은 추후 별도 공지를 통해 안내드리겠습니다. 앞으로 이어질 리노와 Stray Kids의 활동에도 변함없는 사랑과 응원 부탁드립니다. 감사합니다. Hello, this is JYPE. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all STAY for your unwavering love and support throughout Stray Kids’ journey since their debut. Lee Know is scheduled to fulfill his mandatory military service in the first quarter of 2027. As a result, he may be unable to participate in some of the activities scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. However, prior to his enlistment, he will continue to connect with STAY through various content and individual activities. We understand that this news may come as a surprise to many STAY, and we appreciate your kind understanding. Additional details that cannot be shared at this time will be announced separately when they become available. We hope you will continue to show your unwavering love and support for Lee Know and Stray Kids in their upcoming activities. Thank you.
— Stray Kids (@Stray_Kids) November 5, 2026
What happens to Stray Kids during his service?
Lee Know, whose real name is Lee Min-ho, was born on 25 October 1998. He debuted with Stray Kids in March 2018 and is the oldest South Korean member of the eight-member group.
Under South Korean law, most able-bodied men must complete military service, generally lasting between 18 and 21 months depending on their assignment.
Read more: Stray Kids’ agency JYP denies takeover claims by Japanese investors
Lee Know previously discussed his upcoming enlistment during a press conference for the group’s mini album «THIS & THAT» in August 2026.
At the time, he stated that he intended to fulfil his military obligations and assured fans that Stray Kids would eventually reunite as a whole group. However, the members had yet to finalise their plans for activities during their military service.
The announcement comes just before Stray Kids’ three Tokyo Dome concerts, scheduled for 6–8 November as part of their «RUN IT» world tour.
Read more: Stray Kids get third platinum certification in Japan for S-Class
JYP Entertainment has not announced whether Lee Know’s enlistment will affect future tour dates or album releases beyond the activities he may miss in early 2027.
