ONF Sparks Fan Panic With “Military Re-Enlistment” Announcement—Here is the Truth
K-pop fans are no strangers to the anxiety that accompanies military enlistment announcements, but a recent update from boy group ONF sent the fandom into a temporary tailspin. The group recently teased a “re-enlistment” scenario, triggering widespread panic across social media before the true nature of the announcement was revealed.
The “Re-Enlistment” Scare: Content vs. Reality
On April 13, ONF announced the launch of fresh self-produced content on their official YouTube channel. The panic began with a prologue video showing the members brainstorming ideas for their upcoming episodes. Among the concepts discussed was the idea of “re-enlisting in the Special Forces.”
While the members were simply planning a themed video series, the initial news headlines led many fans to believe the group was actually returning to military service. This sparked a wave of distress on X (formerly Twitter), with fans describing the news as a “new type of torture” and claiming they “almost fainted” upon reading the titles.
This reaction is particularly poignant given ONF’s history with mandatory service. In 2021, the group gained significant attention for becoming the first K-pop boy group to have all its Korean members enlist together.
Understanding Military Duty and the Possibility of Re-Enlistment
The fear surrounding “re-enlistment” stems from the strict nature of South Korean military law. While ONF’s situation was a creative choice for entertainment, actual cases of military duty disputes are handled with severe legal scrutiny.
For example, WINNER’s Song Mino faced investigations in 2025 after allegations that he left his workplace during business hours while serving as a public service worker. In such cases, fans often wonder if an idol must “re-serve” their duty. However, under the Military Service Act, re-enlistment as an active-duty soldier is generally not an option for public service workers.
According to Article 33 of the Military Service Act, the primary disciplinary measures for abandoning duty include:
- Service Extension: The service period can be extended by five times the number of days the worker was absent.
- Criminal Punishment: Unauthorized absences totaling eight or more days can result in up to three years in prison.
A New Trend: Completing Service Before Debut
While most idols face a mid-career hiatus to fulfill their duties, a new trend is emerging where artists complete their service before entering the spotlight. A prominent example is Jeongwoo from the rookie 5th-generation group AHOF.
Born in 2001, Jeongwoo shocked netizens by revealing he had already finished his military service before appearing on the survival reveal Universe League and subsequently debuting. This rare move allows him to avoid the typical career break that affects most male idols, a decision fans have praised as being “well-prepared.”
Key Takeaways: K-Pop and Military Service
- ONF’s “Re-Enlistment”: This was a conceptual theme for YouTube content, not a legal requirement.
- Legal Realities: Under the Military Service Act, disciplinary actions for duty avoidance typically involve service extensions or prison, rather than converting a public service role into active duty.
- Pre-Debut Service: Some new-generation idols, like AHOF’s Jeongwoo, are opting to serve before debuting to ensure uninterrupted career growth.
As the K-pop industry evolves, the intersection of mandatory military service and idol branding continues to shift. Whether through creative content like ONF’s “Special Forces” series or the strategic early enlistment seen in AHOF, artists are finding new ways to navigate the complexities of South Korean service requirements.
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