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
2. Two Members
ORBIT: 558 days
TVXQ: 760 days
B1A4: 1,661 days
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
4. Four Members
HIGHLIGHT: 838 days
DAY6: 995 days
BIGBANG: 1,005 days
SHINee: 1,577 days
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
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
8. Eight Members
ZE:A: 2,675 days
9. Eleven Members
Super Junior: A jaw-dropping 3,229 days (nearly 9 years)!
