As of late August 2026, Stray Kids remain fully active as an eight-member group. No current members have enlisted. The group is promoting their mini album THIS & THAT (released August 7) and the “RUN IT” world tour. Military service has become a more immediate topic following comments from members at the album’s press conference.
South Korean law requires able-bodied men to complete roughly 18–21 months of service (depending on the branch), generally before the end of the year they turn 28. Timing is flexible within that window and often coordinated with careers. Idols commonly choose active duty (Army is most common) or alternative service when eligible.
Who Does Not Have to Serve
Bang Chan (born October 3, 1997) and Felix (born September 15, 2000) hold Australian citizenship. They are not subject to South Korea’s mandatory military service. Both can continue activities without interruption.
Who Must Serve (Korean Members)
These six members will eventually enlist. No official dates have been announced by JYP Entertainment or the members themselves as of August 31, 2026.
| Member | Birthdate | Approx. Age (Aug 2026) | Status | Notes / Expected Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Know | October 25, 1998 | 27 | Not enlisted | Oldest Korean member. Must enlist by end of 2026 (year he turns 28). Most likely to go first. |
| Changbin | August 11, 1999 | 27 | Not enlisted | Expected 2027–early 2028 window. |
| Hyunjin | March 20, 2000 | 26 | Not enlisted | Expected around 2028. |
| Han | September 14, 2000 | 25 | Not enlisted | Expected 2028–2029. |
| Seungmin | September 22, 2000 | 25 | Not enlisted | Expected 2028–2029. |
| I.N | February 8, 2001 | 25 | Not enlisted | Youngest; latest deadline (around 2029). |
Lee Know’s recent comments (August 6, 2026 press conference):
He described military service as a natural responsibility: “I believe fulfilling the duty of national defense is natural. If I am called upon, I will faithfully carry out my assigned duties.” The members have not finalized detailed plans for activities during the hiatus period, but he emphasized: “What is certain is that we will all come back together… Please wait a little while; we will be back soon.” Other members echoed focusing on the present while affirming the group will reunite.
Current Group Outlook
- All eight members are still active.
- With Bang Chan and Felix exempt, the group has a built-in advantage for continuity (solo work, unit projects such as 3RACHA, international promotions, and pre-recorded content) while Korean members cycle through service.
- The first enlistment is widely expected to be Lee Know’s, likely in late 2026 or as schedules allow before the hard deadline. Subsequent enlistments will probably be staggered rather than simultaneous to minimize downtime.
Quick Tracker Summary (August 2026)
- Exempt / No service required: Bang Chan, Felix
- Must serve, not yet enlisted: Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Seungmin, I.N
- Already serving or discharged: None of the current eight members
- Official dates announced: None
This situation mirrors the phased approaches taken by other large groups. Stray Kids have repeatedly stressed that the group will reunite after service. STAYs can expect updates from JYP or the members themselves as individual timelines firm up—most critically around Lee Know’s window in the coming months.
Stay tuned for official announcements. The “Ultimate Tracker” will be updated as new information drops.