Kenya, March 22 -- Wonwoo, a member of the famous K-pop group SEVENTEEN, will start his mandatory military service on April 3. This was confirmed by his agency, Pledis Entertainment.

The news, shared on March 5, has made many fans, known as CARATs, feel a mix of emotions as there are less than two weeks left before he enlists.

Pledis Entertainment posted a statement on Weverse saying, "Wonwoo of SEVENTEEN will begin his military service on April 3 this year. He will not be able to join any SEVENTEEN events after this date, including the Tecate Pa'l Norte 2025 festival and a fan meeting in Japan in April."

The agency added that Wonwoo will serve as a public servant, which is a role often given after health checks. However, they did not share specific reasons for this choice.

There will be no official event for his enlistment day, and fans are asked not to visit the military site. Instead, they can show their support through Weverse.

Wonwoo, 28 years old and born Jeon Won-woo, is the second member of SEVENTEEN to enlist, after Jeonghan, who started his service late last year.

His leaving represents another change for the 13-member group, known for their complex dance routines and music that they produce themselves. Wonwoo is expected to complete his service by January 2027, and public service typically lasts longer than active military duty.

Fans are sharing their feelings on social media. Many express sadness and support for him. One fan wrote, "It's hitting me that Wonwoo will enlist in 2 weeks. my heart aches."

Others celebrated his last performances before enlisting, such as the "SEVENTEEN in CARAT LAND" concert on March 20-21, where he sang the song "Leftover" and mentioned there are two new songs coming soon.

Wonwoo has been in the spotlight recently, attending London Fashion Week in February, where he walked for Burberry and caught the attention of many, including actress Jung Eun-chae. He has balanced high-profile events with his group activities.

However, his enlistment has caused some debate among some Korean netizens, who are discussing whether it is fair for idols to have public service roles instead of active duty. Some supporters say that personal reasons, like Wonwoo's known poor eyesight, may explain this decision.

As the enlistment date approaches, CARATs around the world are coming together to wish Wonwoo well. Pledis Entertainment ended its statement by promising to support him during his service and encouraged fans to do the same until he returns safe and healthy.

With his enlistment nearing, Wonwoo's temporary absence from SEVENTEEN highlights the challenge of balancing K-pop success with South Korea's military responsibilities.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.