Can you believe it?
2025 is almost over, and NCTzens are about to face another bittersweet moment.
Our favorite idols — Doyoung and Jungwoo from NCT 127 — are officially preparing to enlist in the military this December.
Yes, you heard it right — NCT Doyoung and Jungwoo Military Enlistment 2025 has been confirmed, and fans are already feeling emotional about it.
SM Entertainment recently announced the news, and honestly, everyone’s still buzzing with mixed feelings of pride and sadness.
But how did this all start? When exactly are they leaving? And what does this mean for NCT as a group?
Let’s start from the beginning and unpack the full story together.
The Big Announcement That Shocked Fans
It was October 30, 2025 — just another Thursday morning.
Then suddenly, SM Entertainment dropped a statement that changed everything for NCTzens.
“NCT members Doyoung and Jungwoo will fulfill their mandatory military service in December.
Doyoung will enlist as an active-duty soldier, while Jungwoo has been accepted into the army band.
Both will enlist on December 8. There will be no special events on the day of enlistment for safety reasons.”
And just like that — boom! — social media exploded.
Within minutes, #Doyoung, #Jungwoo, and #NCT127 were trending worldwide.
Fans were proud, emotional, and already planning how they’d support the boys until they returned.
Some fans tweeted,
“We’ll wait for them no matter how long it takes.”
“It hurts, but I’m proud. They’re serving their country.”
It’s the kind of love only K-pop fandoms can understand, right cutieee?
What Each Member Will Do in the Military
Now let’s talk about roles.
Doyoung, the calm, soulful vocalist who always brings warmth to every NCT song, will serve as an active-duty soldier in the Korean Army.
That means tough physical training, strict schedules, and real military duties — but knowing him, he’ll do it with dedication and grace.
Jungwoo, on the other hand, will serve in the Army Band.
He applied earlier this year and officially received his acceptance letter from the Military Manpower Administration.
So while Doyoung will be training on the field, Jungwoo will be spreading music and joy within the army.
SM also emphasized there won’t be any fan events or public gatherings on their enlistment day.
It’s a private moment meant for soldiers and families — and for safety reasons, fans were kindly asked not to visit the site.
Fans React — A Mix of Pride and Sadness
For fans, this news hit hard.
Of course, everyone knew this day would come — every able-bodied Korean man must serve — but it still feels too soon, doesn’t it?
Twitter was full of heartfelt messages:
“It’s going to be quiet without them.”
“I’ll rewatch every concert video until they come back.”
Some fans even began organizing small online projects — countdowns, support letters, and playlists to listen to while they’re gone.
It’s pure love — that kind of bond between idols and fans that doesn’t fade even when they’re miles apart.
Timeline: When Will They Return?
Okay, let’s break down the timeline clearly.
- Enlistment Date: December 8, 2025
- Expected Discharge: Around June 7, 2027
So yes — about 18 months of service.
If everything goes according to plan, they’ll both return in mid-2027, stronger than ever.
Meanwhile, other NCT members are already serving:
- Taeyong enlisted on April 15, 2024 (Navy), and will be discharged on December 14, 2025.
- Jaehyun joined the Army Band on November 4, 2024, and was discharged on May 3, 2026.
Pretty interesting, right? As Taeyong comes back, Doyoung and Jungwoo will go in — almost like SM planned it perfectly to keep the group activities balanced.
Before Enlistment — Their Journey So Far
Before heading into service, both idols have had an incredible run this year.
Doyoung wrapped up his solo Asia tour in October 2025, with encore shows that left fans in tears.
People could feel it — he was giving everything on stage, knowing it might be his last for a while.
Jungwoo, meanwhile, shined during NCT 127’s Neo City – The Momentum world tour, which hit 15 cities across eight countries.
He’s known for his bright personality, sharp choreography, and that smile that lights up every performance.
And remember Doyoung’s older brother, actor Gong Myung?
He actually mentioned on a variety show that Doyoung would enlist “by the end of the year.”
At that time, fans thought he was joking — but turns out, he was totally right.
🇰🇷 Why Enlistment Matters
In South Korea, every able-bodied man under 30 is required to serve about 18–21 months in the military.
It’s not just an obligation — it’s a point of national pride.
For idols like Doyoung and Jungwoo, this moment means stepping away from fame, music, and fans to serve their country.
It’s both humbling and inspiring.
Their decision shows something deeper — beyond the stage lights and fame, they understand responsibility and duty.
And honestly, that’s why fans respect them even more.
What Happens to NCT Now?
With Doyoung and Jungwoo leaving, and Taeyong and Jaehyun still serving, NCT’s Korean line will definitely feel a little empty.
But don’t worry, cutieee — the group isn’t stopping.
Foreign members like Johnny, Yuta, WinWin, and Mark are exempt from service,
so they’ll continue with promotions, solo projects, and content to keep NCT alive in fans’ hearts.
Meanwhile, Haechan is the only Korean member left who hasn’t enlisted yet,
So sometime soon, he’ll also join his brothers in fulfilling this duty.
SM Entertainment has already said they’ll adjust future schedules so fans continue to receive performances, albums, and updates from various sub-units.
The Emotional Goodbye — and a Promise to Return
December 8 is coming fast.
When Doyoung and Jungwoo put on their uniforms and say goodbye (for now), it’ll be a proud yet emotional day for every NCTzen. Watching your favorite artist leave is always hard.
But this isn’t goodbye, it’s just a farewell. Because if you take away anything from idols like Taemin, Jin, and Baekhyun, it is that they come back better, wiser and with stories to share.
When Doyoung and Jungwoo come back in 2027, we’ll be here waiting (like patients who will never unmute) for their comeback performances.
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Final Thoughts
So yeah, cutieee, this is how the whole journey unfolded —
from that shocking announcement to the quiet acceptance that comes with time.
NCT’s Doyoung and Jungwoo aren’t just leaving; they’re showing what true dedication looks like —
to their country, their group, and their fans. And while we’ll miss their voices, their laughter, and their energy for a while,
one thing’s for sure — NCT will always stay united, no matter the distance.
Until they return, let’s keep streaming their songs, rewatching their concerts,
and sending all the love they deserve. Because this isn’t the end —
It’s just the beginning of a new chapter.
