Stray Kids’ Lee Know Will Enlist in Early 2027, Becoming the Group’s First Member to Serve

The first enlistment notice in Stray Kids history just dropped, and it landed on the eve of three sold-out nights at Tokyo Dome. JYP Entertainment confirmed on Thursday, Nov. 5, that Lee Know will begin his mandatory South Korean military service in the first quarter of 2027, making him the first member of the eight-piece group to enlist.

Editorial illustration of eight faceless silhouette performers on a concert stage, one lit by a golden spotlight above a crowd of glowing lightsticks — Illustration only. This artwork does not depict any real person.

Within minutes of the notice, “Lee Know” was one of the top trending topics on X in the United States, as fans traded farewell messages, throwback clips and plenty of questions about what the news means for the rest of the group’s schedule.

What JYP actually said

The announcement was short. In a notice shared on the group’s official X account, the agency thanked fans, known as STAY, for their support since debut and said Lee Know “is scheduled to fulfill his mandatory military service in the first quarter of 2027.”

JYP added that he “may be unable to participate in some of the activities scheduled for the first quarter of 2027,” but that he will keep connecting with fans through content and individual activities before he goes. The company acknowledged the news “may come as a surprise” and said other details would be announced separately once they can be shared.

What the notice did not include is just as important. According to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, JYP did not disclose the specific form of service Lee Know will perform, and no exact enlistment date has been made public.

Why now

Lee Know, whose real name is Lee Min-ho, was born on Oct. 25, 1998, and turned 28 last month. Under South Korean law, able-bodied men must serve at least 18 months, generally before turning 30, a requirement that has applied to K-pop’s biggest stars, including the members of BTS. Yonhap noted that as someone born in 1998, Lee Know is due to fulfill the obligation in 2027.

He debuted with Stray Kids in 2018 and has since become one of the group’s main dancers and most recognizable personalities. The group has gone on to become one of K-pop’s biggest exports, and ABS-CBN reports it has scored nine No. 1 albums on the U.S. Billboard 200.

How fans are reacting

The response online has been a mix of heartbreak and support. Many fans said they knew the day was coming but were still caught off guard by how soon it arrived, while others flooded timelines with messages wishing him a safe and healthy service.

Not all of the reaction was gentle. Some fans, as Koreaboo reported, criticized the timing and questioned how the agency would handle tour dates and releases planned for early next year. Others urged patience, pointing out that JYP has promised more details soon.

The tour keeps rolling, for now

The timing is hard to miss. Stray Kids are in the middle of their RUN IT world tour and are scheduled to play Tokyo Dome on Nov. 6, 7 and 8, according to the group’s Japanese label. Listings show more Asia dates through early March 2027, which overlaps with the window JYP gave for Lee Know’s service.

The group also has a new Japanese release, Suiatsu, set for Nov. 25, according to Metropolis Japan. For now, Lee Know is expected to be on stage for the remaining 2026 shows, though JYP has not detailed exactly which 2027 events he will miss.

What’s next

The next official update from JYP should answer the big questions: the exact enlistment date, the type of service and which 2027 activities will go ahead as a seven-member lineup. Until then, the Tokyo Dome run this weekend now carries extra weight, as one of the last chances for many fans to see all eight members together for a while.

If history is any guide, the wait will not be quiet. K-pop agencies often release pre-recorded content during a member’s service, and JYP has already said Lee Know will keep sharing content with fans before he enlists.

Sources

This is an original summary written by Daily Content News based on the reporting linked above. The illustration is original artwork and does not depict any real person.