Jaehwa Bernardo

EXO's Kai in a teaser photo for the group's 2023 album 'Exist.' Photo from EXO's X account

Article (news)

K-pop star Kai of EXO completes military service: reports

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1739175637573KAI2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">EXO&#x27;s Kai in a teaser photo for the group&#x27;s 2023 album &#x27;Exist.&#x27; <em>Photo from EXO&#x27;s X account</em></span></span></span>K-pop star Kai of the boy group EXO completed Monday his mandatory military service, raising excitement among fans for his return to the music scene, according to reports.</div><p>The 31-year-old idol, whose real name is Kim Jong-in, was discharged from the military, where he served as a social service agent <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/05/11/23/come-back-safely-exo-sends-off-kai-as-he-enters-military"><strong>since May 2023</strong></a>, the <a href="https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10416414"><strong>Korea Herald</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2025/02/398_391887.html"><strong>Korea Times</strong></a> reported.</p><p>All able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve in the military for about two years, mainly due to the fact that the country remains technically at war with nuclear-armed North Korea.</p><p>With this development, Sehun is the only remaining member of EXO who has yet to finish his service, though he is expected to be discharged in September.</p><p>Kai entered the K-pop industry in 2012 as a member of EXO, known for songs such as &quot;Growl,&quot; &quot;Ko Ko Bop&quot; and &quot;Love Shot.&quot; </p><p>In 2020, he debuted as a soloist with a self-titled extended play (EP) and went on to release two more EPs — &quot;Peaches&quot; in 2021 and <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/03/13/23/exos-kai-returns-with-3rd-solo-ep-rover"><strong>&quot;Rover&quot;</strong></a> in 2023 — before enlisting in the military.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lco73YFyNYc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><strong></strong><br/></div>

<p>K-pop star Kai of the boy group EXO completed Monday his mandatory military service, raising excitement for his return to promotional activities, according to reports.</p>

K-pop star Kai of the boy group EXO completed Monday his mandatory military service, raising excitement for his return to promotional activities, according to reports.