Seventeen's Jeonghan to begin military service as social worker from Sept. 26

Jeonghan of boy band Seventeen will begin his alternative military duty as a social worker on Sept. 26, becoming the first member of the band to join the Army.

Jeonghan of boy band Seventeen at press conference for album "17 Is Right Here" in Conrad Seoul in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, on April 29, 2024. [YONHAP]

Jeonghan of boy band Seventeen will begin his alternative military duty as a social worker on Sept. 26, becoming the first member of the band to join the Army.

His agency Pledis Entertainment announced the news on the online K-pop fan community platform Weverse on Thursday.

The singer will not be participating in upcoming group activities.

"Although he will not participate in promotional activities for Seventeen's 12th EP and world tours, he will appear to fans through pre-planned content," said the agency.

No separate events will be held on the day of his service entry or on the day he enters boot camp, according to his agency.

"Please refrain from visiting his service workplace," the agency said, adding, "We ask for love and support so that Jeonghan can faithfully fulfill his military service and return even healthier than before."

The K-pop group is set to release its 12th EP in October and kick off the "Right Here" world tour with two concerts at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi on Oct. 12 and 13. The boy band will then perform in five U.S. cities and four Japanese cities as part of the world tour.

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]