NCT’s Taeyong has officially completed his mandatory military service, marking a long-awaited moment for fans around the world. On December 14, Taeyong was discharged after fulfilling his duties as an active-duty member of the Republic of Korea Navy, becoming one of the first NCT members to complete enlistment.
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| Photo Credit - taeoxo_nct Instagram |
As news of his discharge spread, social media platforms quickly filled with messages of celebration. Fans shared their excitement, relief, and pride, trending his name across multiple regions while welcoming him back with heartfelt posts, photos, and fan projects. Many described the day as both emotional and joyful, calling it a meaningful reunion after months of waiting.
One particular moment captured widespread attention online: a video showing Taeyong bowing deeply to his parents shortly after his discharge. The gesture, simple yet deeply respectful, resonated strongly with fans and non-fans alike. The clip spread rapidly across SNS, with viewers praising his humility and expressing how moved they were by the scene.
Taeyong bowing to his parents and reporting his discharge
— LEE TAEYONG BASE (@Leetaeyongbase) December 14, 2025
Sergeant Lee Tae-yong, 702nd Naval Service
I was ordered to be discharged from the military as of December 14, 2025
I'm reporting this! Victory! 🫡pic.twitter.com/oZJ093ixJ7
At the discharge site, Taeyong personally greeted fans despite the cold weather, thanking them for coming and for their patience during his service. He shared that the contrast between enlisting in spring and returning in the middle of winter made the moment feel especially surreal. Most notably, he reassured fans that he plans to prepare his return quickly, encouraging them to look forward to seeing him again soon.
welcome back taeyong 🥹#OurTAEYONGisBack#축_전역_태용이와새로운시작pic.twitter.com/850RPmizu4
— taeyong pics (@taeyongpictures) December 14, 2025
Since debuting with NCT in 2016, Taeyong has played a central role in the group’s success through units including NCT U, NCT 127, and SuperM. Beyond group activities, he has also built a strong reputation as a solo artist, earning recognition for his musical identity and creative direction.
Before enlisting, Taeyong had promised fans that he would return as a more mature and improved version of himself, using his time in the military to learn and grow. With his discharge now complete, anticipation is building around his next chapter—both as an individual artist and as part of NCT’s ongoing activities, even as other members continue to serve.
As Taeyong steps back into civilian life, the overwhelming response from fans makes one thing clear: his return is not just a comeback, but an emotional milestone shared by an entire fandom.
