November 6, 2026 | K-POP News | South Korea · Artist Update
Stray Kids member Lee Know is scheduled to begin his mandatory military service in the first quarter of 2027, according to a November 5 announcement from JYP Entertainment. The news marks an important change for the eight-member group: Lee Know is expected to become its first member to enter military service. JYP has confirmed the timeframe, but has not given a specific enlistment date.
The company did not announce an enlistment date, military branch or type of service. Those details are expected in a later notice. Until then, any specific day or claim about how he will serve would be speculation.
What JYP Entertainment confirmed
JYP’s notice places Lee Know’s military service in the period from January through March 2027. The agency also cautioned that he may be unable to join some activities scheduled for those months. It did not identify which events would be affected, so fans should not assume that every announced Stray Kids appearance will proceed without him—or that the group’s entire schedule has been cancelled.
The agency also said he intends to continue appearing in content and individual projects before beginning his service. It asked fans to understand the change in plans and indicated that further details will be shared when they can be confirmed.
| Question | Confirmed as of November 6, 2026 |
|---|---|
| When will LEE KNOW begin service? | Sometime in the first quarter of 2027 (January–March) |
| Has an exact enlistment date been announced? | No |
| Has JYP specified active duty or another service type? | No |
| Will he miss Stray Kids activities? | He may miss some first-quarter 2027 schedules |
| Will there be activities before enlistment? | JYP says content and individual activities are planned |
The wording matters: JYP has announced a period during which the obligation is expected to begin, not a fixed enlistment appointment. The company has not confirmed which group schedules will be affected.
The first member of Stray Kids to begin military service
Born on October 25, 1998, LEE KNOW debuted with Stray Kids in 2018. He has become a familiar part of the group’s performances through his dancing, vocals and closely coordinated stage work. His upcoming enlistment will mark the first time a Stray Kids member steps away from group activities for military service.
Stray Kids have spent recent years expanding their international audience through albums, tours and festival appearances. Their group activity is expected to continue in some form, but JYP has not announced a detailed plan for lineups or performances after LEE KNOW’s service begins.
That distinction is important for fans reading headlines about a potential group hiatus. One member beginning military service does not itself confirm an indefinite pause in all group activities.
LEE KNOW previously spoke about the responsibility
Lee Know had addressed the subject during an album press event in August. At the time, he described military service as a responsibility he intended to fulfill when called upon. His remarks were about that obligation in general; they did not confirm an enlistment date. JYP’s November notice is therefore the clearest indication so far of when fans can expect his service to begin.
Those earlier remarks offered reassurance about the group’s long-term relationship, but they did not provide a timetable. The November 5 agency statement is the first confirmation of a specific quarter for his service.
What Lee Know’s 2027 military service means for upcoming schedules
The next meaningful update will be an official notice confirming his enlistment date, type of service and any resulting adjustments to appearances. For now, the practical takeaway is straightforward: some first-quarter 2027 commitments may change, but no complete list of affected performances has been issued. Claims about a precise reporting date, military unit or a replacement member should be treated as unconfirmed until JYP provides more information.
In the meantime, JYP says LEE KNOW will continue connecting with STAY through content and individual activities. Fans can check the group’s official channels for the next announcement.
For background and member information, visit the LEE KNOW A–Z profile and the Stray Kids group profile.
Sources
Stray Kids / JYP Entertainment — Official military-service and scheduling notice, November 5, 2026 · The Korea Herald — Confirmation and schedule context, November 6, 2026.