Source: OSEN
EXO Kai's sudden enlistment news is causing turmoil and shock in the entertainment industry.
On the 3rd, SM Entertainment revealed, "Kai was preparing for EXO's comeback scheduled for this year but due to a recent change in the Military Manpower's Administration (MMA)'s regulations, he had to enter the Army Training Center on May 11th and receive basic military training and conclude his military service as a social worker."
The news of Kai's enlistment, delivered about a week before mandatory training, caused great shock and regret among fans. Since Baekhyun was discharged last February, EXO's comeback after 4 years was imminent. At EXO's fan meeting on the 8th of last month, the members raised expectations after announcing plans for a full group comeback. However, Kai, who was preparing for the comeback, suddenly announced military enlistment causing the full group comeback to be delayed again.
After news of enlistment, Kai communicated with fans through SNS live and conveyed his feelings. He shed tears at the outpouring of concern, support, and consolation by fans and stated, "Time goes by quickly. It was so sudden that you were worried. It's ok if I can't rest. I want to see the faces of fans before I go. I needed to see you even more-so now. Today is the first day I heard about it too so please understand. I didn't know about it until today. We will be smiling tomorrow. Time flies quickly and will comeback soon too. I'm looking forward to that."
He added, "I prepared a lot, it's a pity. It's a pity that I'm not able to show you but I think it's ok to go and show it another time. I will do my best until I have go in."
News of Kai's sudden enlistment has become a hot topic in the entertainment industry. Many are paying attention to idols born in 1994 like Kai who are required to enlist this year.
Despite SM claiming that the sudden enlistment was "due to recent changes in MMA regulations" the MMA denied the claims stating, "there were no changes to the regulations" causing confusion.
Under current regulations, it's possible to postpone enlistment a total of 5 times within 2 years. In particular, 2 out of 5 times can be postponed due to entertainment activities by applying under "other reasons." The other 3 times can be postponed due to reasons such as "illness" or "studies." However, in the past, rules have been operated flexibly so it was considered possible to postpone enlistment more than twice in the entertainment industry. But it appears rules recently began to be "strictly applied."
In Kai's case, it's impossible to postpone enlistment anymore because he applied for enlistment delays twice under "other reasons." As a result, other idols in the entertainment industry who are required to enlist are also likely to be having deeper concerns about the timing of their enlistment.
