First Stray Kids Member’s Sudden Military Enlistment Notice Sparks Major Criticism

Korean male citizens have to enlist for conscription in the army, and this includes idols.

Enlistment Explained: How Exactly Does South Korea’s Conscription System Work?

Stray Kids is one of the top fourth-generation groups, and the members are due to start enlisting if they are required to.

The oldest member to have to enlist is Lee Know, as Bang Chan has Australian citizenship, and the plans for her service have sparked mixed reactions.

On November 5, JYP made a statement explaining that Lee Know would be enlisting in the first quarter of 2027, meaning he wouldn’t be available for some of the group’s activities.

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…

— Stray Kids (@Stray_Kids) November 5, 2026

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.

While many fans expected it, they still shared how it was hard and devastating to see it being written and how it made it seem real.

oh my god… this came out of the blue i didn’t expect it especially this soon… i’m in such shock right now…

— 𝐦𝐣 (@gnabnahc97chris) November 5, 2026

oh my fucking god it’s too soon😭

— ༒︎༻hamida༺༒︎ (@lixiesflower) November 5, 2026

i knew this was gonna happen but i’m genuinely devastated…

— aleyna (@rachaflex) November 5, 2026

so are we going to be getting a tour without lee know here in europe and the americas? that just sounds so weird and div 1 could’ve organised things way better

— elle ᢉ𐭩 (@handiors) November 5, 2026

lee know is scheduled to begin his mandatory military service in the first quarter of 2027. this is definitely sooner than we expected, and i’m honestly so devastated right now. but i’m wishing him nothing but the best of luck. i hope he knows just how much we love and support…

— 𝐦𝐣 (@gnabnahc97chris) November 5, 2026

However, some shared anger about the timing of the announcement, especially amid the discourse on the group’s recent activities, and Lee Know’s own personal achievements.

what a shitty agency makes a member depart while an entire second leg of a world tour has to be announced
l
i want to see eight members, not seven, stray kids are eight.

— giul loves bin ⋆ (@chittychittybin) November 5, 2026

yeah so that’s why they might push for one more album in Q1… there’s no way in fucking hell the last ot8 album pre-enlistment will be this & that which got 3 seconds of promo… no lee know on tour, no lee know debut, no lee know acting.. jype you will burn

— rorrie (@5starsbinchan) November 5, 2026

I hope no Lee Know fan funds any activity that doesn’t include Lee Know. No shows, nothing. Because he’s going into enlistment without getting shit for his career as a singer and dancer. Not even a mini album or his SKZ-RECORD, not even fair screentime.

— 🐈‍⬛ (@knowccity) November 5, 2026

Stray Kids