By Layla Zulfa 
As the global K-pop phenomenon Stray Kids prepares for the highly anticipated release of their new mini-album, THIS & THAT, the group’s eldest Korean member, Lee Know, has provided rare insight into the looming reality of mandatory military service. During a recent press engagement on August 6, 2026, the 27-year-old performer addressed the inevitability of his enlistment, offering a message of reassurance to the group’s global fanbase, known as STAY. The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the octet, coinciding with their first album release in nine months and the unveiling of a massive new world tour itinerary.
The Mandate of Service and Lee Know’s Public Commitment
In South Korea, military service remains a foundational civic duty for all able-bodied male citizens. Under the current Military Service Act, men are required to serve between 18 and 21 months, depending on the specific branch of the armed forces they join—be it the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps. While high-profile entertainers who have received government commendations for their cultural contributions can sometimes postpone their service until the age of 30, the window for enlistment for Stray Kids’ older members is steadily narrowing.
Lee Know, born in 1998, is currently 27 years old, placing him at the forefront of the group’s transition into their military era. Speaking with a composed and professional demeanor during a promotional interview for THIS & THAT, Lee Know characterized the upcoming hiatus not as an end, but as a standard progression of life in South Korea. "I believe fulfilling the duty of national defense is natural," he stated. "If I am called upon, I will faithfully carry out my assigned duties."
Crucially, Lee Know emphasized the group’s collective intent to remain a cohesive unit. While specific logistical plans for individual enlistment dates or potential sub-unit activities during the hiatus have not yet been finalized, the singer was adamant about the group’s long-term future. "What is certain is that we will all come back together," he affirmed, addressing the primary concern of many fans who fear the permanent fragmentation of the group.
A Chronology of Stray Kids: From Survival Show to Global Icons
To understand the weight of Lee Know’s statement, one must look at the trajectory of Stray Kids since their inception. Formed through the 2017 JYP Entertainment survival reality show of the same name, the group officially debuted on March 25, 2018, with the EP District 9. Over the past eight years, the group has evolved from experimental "noise music" pioneers into one of the most successful musical acts in the world.
The group’s career has been marked by a series of record-breaking milestones. They were the first K-pop act to have their first five charted albums on the Billboard 200 debut at number one. Their self-producing prowess, led by the trio 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han), has allowed them to maintain a distinct sonic identity that resonates across borders.
By August 2026, Stray Kids has surpassed the traditional "seven-year itch" that often sees K-pop groups disband or lose members. Having renewed their contracts with JYP Entertainment ahead of schedule in mid-2024, the members have signaled a long-term commitment to the brand and each other. However, the military service requirement represents the first major physical interruption to their continuous activity as an eight-member group.
The Strategic Composition of Stray Kids and Enlistment Logistics
The impact of military service on Stray Kids will be unique due to the diverse citizenships held by its members. The group consists of eight members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N.
Bang Chan and Felix, both born and raised in Australia, hold Australian citizenship. As such, they are exempt from South Korea’s mandatory military service. This provides JYP Entertainment with a strategic advantage; even when the Korean members are serving, the "Stray Kids" brand can remain active through solo projects, English-language releases, or collaborations featuring the exempt members.
The remaining six members—Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Seungmin, and I.N—must all serve. Typically, K-pop groups choose one of two paths:
- Staggered Enlistment: Members enlist one by one or in small groups to ensure the brand remains in the public eye through the remaining members.
- Concurrent Enlistment: Most or all members enlist at roughly the same time to minimize the total duration of the group’s hiatus, a strategy famously utilized by groups like ONF and more recently pursued by BTS.
Lee Know’s comment that the group has not yet discussed "specific plans" suggests that JYP Entertainment is likely evaluating market conditions and the success of the THIS & THAT world tour before finalizing a timeline.
THIS & THAT: A Comeback with Heightened Emotional Stakes
The release of THIS & THAT on August 7, 2026, is viewed by industry analysts as a "victory lap" before the military era begins. As the group’s first project in nearly a year, the album is expected to showcase a more mature side of the members. The teaser materials for the title track suggest a continuation of their high-energy performance style, but with lyrical themes that lean into the passage of time and the strength of their bond with STAY.
The accompanying world tour is expected to be their largest to date, spanning multiple continents and including several stadium-sized venues. For many fans, this tour represents a "last chance" to see the full eight-member lineup perform together before the staggered enlistments begin. This sentiment has driven ticket demand to unprecedented levels, with industry insiders predicting record-breaking revenue for JYP Entertainment’s third and fourth quarters of 2026.
Market Analysis and Industry Implications
The transition of a top-tier group like Stray Kids into the military service phase has significant implications for JYP Entertainment and the broader K-pop industry. Historically, the enlistment of a group’s eldest member can lead to a temporary dip in a company’s stock price as investors weigh the potential loss of touring revenue.
However, the modern K-pop landscape has proven that enlistment is no longer the "career killer" it once was. The success of BTS’s solo endeavors during their service period has provided a blueprint for how to maintain global relevance. By utilizing pre-recorded content, digital singles, and high-fashion brand ambassadorships, idols can remain culturally present even while in uniform.
Stray Kids is particularly well-positioned for this transition. Their discography is extensive, and their digital footprint is massive. Furthermore, the presence of Bang Chan and Felix ensures that the group’s communication with their international audience will remain seamless. Analysts suggest that if JYP Entertainment manages the hiatus effectively, Stray Kids could return from their service with even greater demand, following the "scarcity creates value" principle.
Fan Reactions: Emotional Support and Patient Anticipation
The reaction from the STAY community following Lee Know’s interview has been a mixture of somber reflection and fierce loyalty. Social media platforms were flooded with messages of support shortly after the interview transcripts were published. The prevailing sentiment among fans is not one of abandonment, but of a willingness to wait.
"Every time he talks about the military, my heart stops for a second because it sucks, but then I find comfort in his answers," wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter). Another echoed the collective resolve of the fandom: "Our Stray Kids will always be eight. We will wait as long as it takes."
This level of fan devotion is a critical asset for the group. In the K-pop ecosystem, the "hiatus" period is often used by fans to organize "streaming parties" of older music or to fund charitable projects in the members’ names, keeping the community engaged and the group’s chart positions stable.
Conclusion: The Promise of a Reunion
Lee Know’s proactive approach to discussing his enlistment serves to demystify a topic that is often treated with apprehension in the entertainment industry. By framing service as a "natural responsibility" and a temporary detour rather than a destination, he has set a professional tone for the group’s next chapter.
The promise that Stray Kids will "all come back together" is perhaps the most significant takeaway from the interview. In an industry where group lineups frequently change, the commitment to the original eight-member formation is a testament to the bond formed over nearly a decade of shared challenges and successes. As THIS & THAT hits the airwaves and the world tour commences, both the group and their fans are moving forward with a clear understanding: the "Step Out" slogan that has defined Stray Kids’ career remains as much a promise for the future as it was a declaration at their debut.
While the exact dates of the "military era" remain under wraps, the narrative for 2026 is clear. Stray Kids is focused on the present, delivering new music and performances, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a return that they promise will be worth the wait. For now, the focus remains on August 7 and the start of a new musical journey that bridges the gap between their storied past and their inevitable, though temporary, transition into national service.
