13 Korean idols who served looks in their military uniforms

In the Korean entertainment business, there comes a time when male idols will leave the showbiz for their mandatory military service. It’s sad news for their fans because that means they won’t be active on social media and there are even lesser chances of seeing their beloved idols on screen.

On the brighter side, some of these male celebs have given us a rare glimpse of how they look in uniform. Honestly, many of them look great swapping their fitted suits with camo sets — whether it’s for p their military service or on-screen characters. 

Don’t believe us? Just check out the following photos of K-idols including RM, Jungkook and more.

BTS’ Jeon Jungkook and Park Jimin

2023 was a busy year for Jungkook. The singer launched his long-awaited solo career and had a viral, global campaign with Calvin Klein before enlisting for his mandatory military service in December 2023. He enlisted with his fellow BTS bandmate Jimin under a buddy system as “companion soldiers”. In this system, buddies train and serve side by side, providing mutual support and companionship throughout their military duty. This means that the pair will be dispatched to the same basic training centre (which is reported to be the same as Jin), and after their basic training, they will be sent to the same living units in the base and will be discharged at the same time.

Fast forward to June 2025, right before the BTS’ 12th anniversary this year, which falls on June 13, the pair was officially discharged from the military on June 11– a day after RM and V were discharged. Jungkook and Jimin greeted fans right after and Jungkook also shyly admitted, “It has been a while since I have stood in front of cameras, and I did not even put on makeup, so I am not sure what to say. I want to thank my fellow soldiers and superiors who went through a lot with us. I am truly grateful for how well they looked after us.” 

BTS’ Kim Namjoon aka RM

Kim Namjoon — more famously known as RM — was enlisted for mandatory military training in December 2023. He went booked in, alongside his bandmate, Kim Taehyung a.k.a. V, and they were both discharged on the same day on June 10. As they greeted their fans, RM showed off his saxophone skills and serenaded the crowd with a short performance.

BTS’ Kim Taehyung aka V

V had the internet buzzing when he dropped a series of Instagram photos featuring the friends he made during his military service—including a gym snap with fellow South Korean actor Song Kang. Just a day after his discharge, he surprised fans again with a dance cover alongside choreographer Leejung Lee, grooving to tracks like “Don’t Drop That Thun Thun” and “Whatchu Kno About Me.” Now that’s commitment. With Suga’s discharge coming up on June 21, we’re counting down the days to a full BTS reunion—and whatever surprises they have in store.

MONSTA X’s Kihyun 

MONSTA X’s main vocalist, Kihyun (full name Yoo Ki-hyun), was officially discharged from the military in February 2025. He enlisted back in August 2023 and served in the military band under the 25th Infantry Division. With standout solo albums like Voyager (2022) and Fatal Love (2020) already under his belt, fans are eager to see what he’ll do next now that he’s back.

Park Jinyoung

GOT7’s Jinyoung began his military service in May 2023, announcing it through his agency BH Entertainment’s Instagram account. In October 2023, Jinyoung shared a post that showed behind-the-scenes photos of him clad in his uniform

BTS’ J-Hope

J-Hope officially completed his military service on October 17, 2024, after serving 18 months as a social service agent—a role he took on due to a pre-existing shoulder injury. He was the second BTS member to finish his enlistment, following Jin’s discharge back in June. Slowly but surely, the band is coming back together.

BTS’ Jin

Decked in camouflage uniform, BTS member Jin, posted a “yeah” shot on his Instagram in December 2023.The BTS star was the first to be discharged from the South Korean military among his bandmates. He completed his mandatory military service on June 11, 2024.

Minho

It’s been a few years since Shinee’s Minho’s discharge from the military but don’t you agree that this somewhat low-resolution photo of him in military uniform still looks oh so manly?

Hyun Bin

Hyun Bin swept us off our feet in the 2019 K-drama Crashing Landing On You which starred his reel-to-real-life wife and actress Son Ye Jin. In the series, the 41-year-old actor played captain and donned military clothing for some scenes. And boy did he make many of his fans’ hearts skip a beat.

Song Joong Ki

Descendants of the Sun’s leading man, Song Joong Ki, stole hearts worldwide with his role as the charismatic special forces captain. Sure, his performance was top-notch—but let’s be honest, his swoon-worthy looks and the way he absolutely owns a military uniform didn’t hurt either.

Ji Chang Wook

In the 2016 K drama The K2, Chang Wook played an ex-soldier who was hired as a bodyguard. All we can say is that the dishy actor looked as swoon-worthy in a soldier uniform as he is in a bodyguard suit.

Jung Hae In

Hae In’s charming and innocent looks, combined with the masculinity of a military getup, it’s hard for his fans — and us! — not to go weak in the knees for his role in 2017’s Prison Playbook.