On August 9, OUI Entertainment officially announced that Kim Dong Han, a prominent member of the K-pop boy group WEi, will soon begin his mandatory military service. The 1998-born artist also shared a deeply personal, handwritten letter with his fans on Instagram to address his upcoming enlistment.
This news marks a transitional phase for the six-member group WEi, as Kim Dong Han becomes the latest member of his generation to fulfill his civic duties under South Korea’s conscription laws. Below is a comprehensive journalistic overview of the announcement, his career timeline, the official statements, and the broader implications for both the artist and his group.
1. Main Facts of the Enlistment Announcement
The announcement regarding Kim Dong Han’s military enlistment was made on August 9 through his management agency, OUI Entertainment. The key details of his upcoming enlistment are as follows:
Enlistment Date: September 7
Duty Status: Active-duty soldier
Governing Body: South Korea’s Military Manpower Administration
Agency Directives: In line with safety protocols, there will be no public or official events held on the day of his enlistment. Fans have been strictly requested to refrain from visiting the training site to ensure the safety of the artist, other military personnel, and their families.
Communication Channel: Official fan cafe announcement followed by a personal handwritten letter posted on Kim Dong Han’s personal Instagram account.
2. Chronology of Kim Dong Han’s Career
Kim Dong Han’s journey in the South Korean entertainment industry is characterized by resilience, versatility, and steady growth. Over the past seven years, he has successfully navigated the highly competitive K-pop landscape across survival shows, project groups, solo endeavors, and a permanent group debut.
[2017] Starred in "Produce 101 Season 2" ➔ Debuted in fan-project group JBJ
[2018] Transitioned to a successful Solo Artist (won 1st place on music shows)
[2020] Re-debuted as a member of WEi under OUI Entertainment
[Aug 2024] Enlistment announcement ➔ [Sept 7, 2024] Active-duty military entry
The "Produce 101" Phenomenon and JBJ (2017–2018)
Kim Dong Han first gained widespread public recognition in 2017 as a contestant on Mnet’s survival audition program Produce 101 Season 2. Known for his sharp dance skills and charismatic stage presence, he finished in 29th place.
Despite not making the final lineup for Wanna One, his immense popularity led fans to petition for a project group consisting of highly-rated eliminated contestants. This culminated in the debut of JBJ (Just Be Joyful) in October 2017. The group enjoyed massive commercial success, releasing hit singles like "Fantasy" and "My Flower," and winning their first music show trophy before their planned disbandment in April 2018.
Solo Career Success (2018–2020)
Following the dissolution of JBJ, Kim Dong Han transitioned into a solo artist under OUI Entertainment. In June 2018, he released his debut solo mini-album, D-Day, featuring the title track "Sunset."
His solo debut was met with critical acclaim, and he achieved a rare milestone for a newly debuted solo artist by winning first place on SBS MTV’s The Show. He continued his solo career with subsequent releases, including D-Night (2018) and D-Hours AM 7:03 (2019), solidifying his reputation as a versatile all-rounder.
Re-Debut with WEi (2020–Present)
In October 2020, OUI Entertainment launched its first boy group, WEi, consisting of six members: Jang Dae-hyeon, Kim Dong-han, Yoo Yong-ha, Kim Yo-han, Kang Seok-hwa, and Kim Jun-seo. Kim Dong Han brought valuable industry experience, vocal stability, and performance leadership to the team.
Since their debut with the mini-album Identity: First Sight, WEi has built a dedicated global fanbase, known officially as RUi. The group has released multiple successful extended plays and albums, touring internationally and establishing themselves as a mainstay in the third- and fourth-generation K-pop crossover era.
3. Official Responses and Personal Statements
Following the release of the administrative news, both OUI Entertainment and Kim Dong Han issued statements to address the fans and outline the logistics of his transition.
Agency Statement from OUI Entertainment
OUI Entertainment released an official press release to inform the public and set safety boundaries for the enlistment day:
"Hello. This is OUI Entertainment.
First, we would like to sincerely thank all RUi who always give WEi your unwavering love and support. We would like to inform you regarding Kim Dong Han’s military enlistment.
Kim Dong Han will be fulfilling his mandatory military service as a Korean citizen, and in accordance with the Military Manpower Administration’s guidelines, he will enlist as an active duty soldier on September 7.
There will be no separate event held on the day of his enlistment. As the enlistment site will be attended by many military personnel and their families, we kindly ask fans to refrain from visiting the site in person for everyone’s safety.
We ask for your warm support and love so that Kim Dong Han can faithfully fulfill his military duties and return in good health.
Thank you."
Kim Dong Han’s Handwritten Letter to Fans (RUi)
Shortly after the agency’s announcement, Kim Dong Han took to Instagram to upload a photo of a handwritten letter, maintaining a long-standing K-pop tradition of direct, sincere communication during major life milestones.
"Dear my beloved RUi,
Hello, this is Kim Dong Han.
I will be enlisting in the military on September 7. As I sit here writing this letter, it really hits me that I’m actually going to the military.
Looking back, so much time has passed since the moment I first met RUi. I recall one by one the countless stages and performances as well as the time the six of us shared together with RUi.
There were so many happy days as well as moments when I struggled and had worries, but the reason I was able to make it this far after going through all those times is, of course, because of RUi. That’s why the time I spent promoting as an artist wasn’t simply time that passed by but rather precious memories that I want to cherish for a very long time.
And the fact that you were there throughout those moments and that I was part of your lives during your time with us—I think that was a great happiness and blessing for me.
I’ll be away from RUi’s side for a little while, but during that time, I’ll reflect on myself and spend my time well while learning new things. Of course, I’ll eat really well and take good care of myself even in the military, so don’t worry too much, haha.
I hope RUi will stay healthy while I’m away and live happily in your own respective places. I will never forget all the moments we’ve shared until now or the love that RUi has given me.
So you’ll wait for me just a little while, right? I’ll hurry back and greet you again with an even better version of myself.
Thank you so much for everything until now, and I think I’ll continue to be grateful to you in the future as well.
I love you. Let’s meet again.
From Kim Dong Han"
4. Supporting Data: South Korean Military Service & WEi’s Current Status
To understand the broader context of Kim Dong Han’s enlistment, it is essential to examine the legal frameworks of South Korean conscription and the current operational status of WEi.
South Korean Military Conscription Context
Under South Korean law, all able-bodied male citizens between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to perform compulsory military service.
Branch of Service
Typical Duration of Service
Army / Marines (Active Duty)
18 Months
Navy
20 Months
Air Force
21 Months
Social Service (Alternative)
21 Months
As an active-duty soldier entering on September 7, Kim Dong Han is expected to serve for 18 months. This places his estimated discharge date around March 2026, assuming standard deployment timelines without administrative changes.
Demographic Breakdown of WEi
WEi’s members span birth years from 1997 to 2001. Kim Dong Han’s enlistment represents the beginning of the mandatory service era for the group’s older members.
Jang Dae-hyeon: Born February 11, 1997 (Leader)
Kim Dong-han: Born July 3, 1998 (Enlisting September 7)
Yoo Yong-ha: Born August 31, 1999
Kim Yo-han: Born September 22, 1999
Kang Seok-hwa: Born December 5, 1999
Kim Jun-seo: Born November 20, 2001
5. Implications for WEi and Future Outlook
The temporary absence of a core member inevitably shifts a group’s operational dynamics. However, the modern K-pop industry has developed highly efficient strategies to mitigate the impact of the "military hiatus."
Impact on Group Promotions and Unit Activities
With Kim Dong Han serving as a main dancer and lead vocalist, WEi will need to restructure their choreography and vocal distributions for any upcoming group comebacks. It is highly probable that OUI Entertainment will pivot toward:
Sub-unit Releases: Grouping the remaining five members into smaller units to explore different musical styles.
Solo Activities: Leveraging the high individual profiles of members like Kim Yo-han (who has an active acting career) and Jang Dae-hyeon (who is involved in music production).
Global Fan Engagement: Utilizing pre-recorded content, behind-the-scenes footage, and individual social media platforms to maintain connection with RUi.
The Changing Paradigm of Military Service in K-pop
Historically, military enlistment was viewed as a major disruption that could end a boy group’s momentum. In the current industry landscape, however, this perception has shifted significantly.
Many active groups successfully navigate enlistment phases by staggering enlistments, releasing pre-recorded music, or focusing on individual career paths. Fans, too, have become highly supportive of this national duty, viewing it as a natural step in an idol’s adult life. Kim Dong Han’s focus on "learning new things" and returning with "an even better version" of himself aligns with this modern, constructive outlook on military service.
As Kim Dong Han prepares to enter the training center on September 7, both his agency and his global fanbase remain focused on his safety, personal growth, and eventual return to the stage.
By Neng Nana 
Nana Wu 
Siti Muinah 
Basiran 
