The Shocking Length Of K-Pop Groups’ Military Hiatuses By Group Size

Did you expect this?

In South Korea, mandatory military enlistment is a requirement for male K-Pop idols, but just how long do groups disappear from the spotlight while members serve? Check out how long each of these groups took for their military hiatus from the first member’s enlistment to the final member’s discharge.

1. One Member (who must serve)

Even with just one member enlisting, the hiatus can be over a year.

KARD: 547 days

AKMU: 619 days

AKMU

2. Two Members

ORBIT: 558 days

TVXQ: 760 days

B1A4: 1,661 days

TVXQ

3. Three Members

FTISLAND: 704 days

CNBLUE: 745 days

The Rose: 764 days

2AM: 1,045 days

MBLAQ: 1,223 days

JYJ: 1,316 days

The Rose

4. Four Members

HIGHLIGHT: 838 days

DAY6: 995 days

BIGBANG: 1,005 days

SHINee: 1,577 days

BIG BANG

5. Five Members

ONF: 553 days

ACE: 888 days

BtoB: 1,182 days

2PM: 1,294 days

MY NAME: 1,882 days

100% (disbanded): 2,577 days

ONF

6. Six Members

INFINITE: 1,561 days

7. Seven Members

Block B: 1,742 days

BTS: 921 days — notably short due to strategic overlapping enlistments

BTS

8. Eight Members

ZE:A: 2,675 days

9. Eleven Members

Super Junior: A jaw-dropping 3,229 days (nearly 9 years)!