Seventeen Promises a Bigger Comeback After Hiatus

K-pop band Seventeen will soon be going into a multi-year hiatus, as the last of its members are set to enlist for South Korea’s mandatory military service. At the group's 10th annual "Carat Land" fan meeting at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium, the remaining members said that the break would be a transition period instead of an ending. 

“When we return in two to three years, I think that's when our second chapter will truly begin,” Mingyu said, marking the hiatus as a period for individual growth. Notably, the event was Seventeen's last major full-group appearance before members Mingyu, DK, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino are expected to join the service in the coming months. Four members of the group, Jeonghan, Wonwoo, Hoshi, and Woozi, are already serving. 

Seventeen's 'Second Chapter'

At the fan meet, there was a “reverse stage” segment, where members could perform each other's solo songs, thus highlighting how every one of them had built a unique identity alongside the group. “Even with only nine members here today, we can fill an entire reverse stage with each other's solo songs,” said Mingyu, as noted by The Korea Herald. “That shows how much each member has grown.”

Leader S.Coups gave a message in his closing remarks, highlighting that the group's focus has shifted from chasing success to creating something substantial with fans. He thanked supporters who have followed Seventeen over the past years, even those who may no longer be active fans.

DK, who is expected to enlist soon, told the audience he would return "as a better man" with new music. The night then ended with songs like Tiny Light and Us, Again, closing the meet and greet on a note of refined aspirations.

How will Seventeen Keep itself Active?

The solo performance segment proved that Seventeen has grown enough to keep the momentum alive even with a temporarily reduced lineup. As the enlistment date of the last of the members nears, Pledis Entertainment is already rolling out projects with solo work and smaller units.

On June 29, The 8 and Vernon will debut a new sub-unit, V8, with a self-titled EP, alongside a summer concert. Additionally, Dino is set to release a solo under his alter ego name Picheolin on Aug 3, 2026. The group's variety series Going Seventeen will reportedly return with a new season.

The strategy reflects a broader trend in K-pop, also emulated by BTS, where agencies use these military enlistment periods to grow the individual profiles while preserving the value of the group. 

For a group that has spent years expanding its global album sales and stadium tours, a two-to-three-year intermission could feel like a blip in a much bigger timeline. Fans aren't just counting the days but are holding a space for what Mingyu promised: a larger and more definitive "second chapter" that is yet to come.