Just why are the members of MONSTA X enlisting in the military?

Monsta X members have moved through military service on staggered schedules that kept the group in motion even while individuals stepped away. Kihyun’s August 2023 enlistment no longer marks an open question; the singer completed his term and returned to activities by early 2025. The larger story now tracks how the remaining members handled their own obligations and how the band kept releasing music and staging shows around those commitments.

Kihyun's Farewell: A Heartfelt Letter

Kihyun enlisted on August 22, 2023, following Shownu’s earlier discharge, Minhyuk’s April 2023 start, and Joohoney’s July 2023 enlistment. In his letter to fans he promised a swift return and urged everyone to stay well. He completed service as an active-duty soldier and was discharged February 21, 2025, allowing him to rejoin promotions and group planning almost immediately.

A Mysterious Journey

Shownu and Hyungwon’s 2023 sub-unit debut The Unseen remains a highlight of the group’s recent catalog. The mini-album trailer follows a length of black fabric through shifting realities, turning the concept of identity into visual puzzle pieces. In their NME conversation the pair described the project as an examination of inner contradictions, and the finished record delivers on that promise. Lead single “Love Me A Little” leans sultry while “Slow Dance” drifts into dream-pop territory; Shownu choreographed the former with dance crew FreeMind, giving the track an additional layer of movement that set the sub-unit apart from the main group’s usual style.

Hyungwon's Military Service

Hyungwon completed all sub-unit promotions before reporting for duty. He enlisted November 14, 2024, as an active-duty soldier, extending the staggered service pattern that already included Shownu, Minhyuk, Joohoney, and Kihyun. His departure left only I.M. outside the service window at that point, shifting attention to the final member’s timeline.

I.M's Enlistment and Final Performances

I.M. became the last member to enlist when he entered active duty on February 9, 2026. He participated in the Seoul dates of the 2026 world tour immediately before reporting, giving fans a final full-group stage ahead of his eighteen-month term. His expected discharge date sits at August 8, 2027.

2026 World Tour Activities

Despite the staggered absences, Monsta X launched the 2026 World Tour ‘THE X: NEXUS.’ The Seoul leg at KSPO Dome ran January 30 through February 1, 2026, with I.M. still available for those shows. North American dates followed in October, keeping the group’s live schedule intact while one member prepared for service.

Group Reunion Timeline

Shownu, Minhyuk, Joohoney, Kihyun, and Hyungwon have all finished their service periods. I.M. remains the sole member in uniform as of June 2026. Full-group activities are slated to resume once he completes his term at the end of 2027, closing the military chapter that began in 2021.

The Road Ahead

Monsta X used the staggered service windows to maintain momentum rather than pause entirely. Sub-unit work, solo projects, and the 2026 tour kept the name visible while members fulfilled obligations. With every member except I.M. now discharged, the focus shifts to the 2027 reunion and whatever new music or live plans surface once the final enlistment concludes. The group’s ability to keep moving through mandatory service has become part of its ongoing story rather than an interruption.