Key Highlights :
     K-pop boy group EXO's Kai will be enlisting in the military next week to fulfill his mandatory military service, his agency SM Entertainment said on Thursday. The 29-year-old will begin with a five-week basic training program at an Army boot camp from next Thursday. Following the training, Kai will serve as a social service agent.
     In Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for about two years. Kai had been preparing for the group's forthcoming album before his enlistment was suddenly expedited due to a recent change in the Military Manpower Administration's rules. SM said there will be no separate ceremony to mark his enlistment, respecting his desire to make it a low-key event. The exact time and location of his enlistment have also not been disclosed.
     Kai made his debut in 2012 as the main dancer of the nine-piece group EXO and has since become a fan favorite due to his dance skills and solid performances. He is also the main dancer of SuperM, a project group managed by the same agency, and launched his solo career with his first EP, "Kai," in 2020.
     During his recent Instagram live broadcast Wednesday afternoon, Kai welled up while expressing disappointment over the timing of his enlistment. "I prepared a lot (for the group's comeback), but it's a shame," he said.
     Kai's enlistment in the military has saddened many of his fans, but they are also sending him off with love and support. Fans have been flooding social media with messages of encouragement, wishing him the best during his military service.
     Kai's enlistment in the military is a reminder that all able-bodied men in Korea are required to fulfill their mandatory military service. While his fans will certainly miss him during his absence, they understand that it is his duty to serve his country.