NCT leader Taeyong has been officially discharged from the South Korean Navy, completing his mandatory military service on December 14, 2025.
The discharge marks a significant moment for the K-pop group, as Taeyong becomes the first NCT member to meet the country’s mandatory enlistment requirements.
Taeyong served for approximately 20 months, having enlisted in April 2024. During his service, he worked as a cultural promotion soldier in the Navy Band and Honor Guard, notably serving in the publicity unit of the Gugak Honor Guard Battalion. This specialized role has allowed him to continue to contribute his artistic talent while fulfilling his civic duty.​
The discharge ceremony proved to be particularly emotional, as captured in videos shared by SM Entertainment and NCT’s official social media accounts. Following his official release, Taeyong was reunited with his family, formally bowing to his parents in a touching show of respect and gratitude, according to reports. allkpop. Photographs of the occasion showed him receiving flowers and hugging his mother, moments that quickly resonated across all social media platforms.
Through his Instagram, Taeyong shared his feelings about returning to civilian life. He posted several photos alongside the caption indicating the dates of his service, April 15, 2024 to December 14, 2025, incorporating emojis representing his naval background. The following day, he expressed in an Instagram story that “I am now a real civilian Taeyong” and described the experience as a dream.
She acknowledged the significant wait endured by fans, stating, “I can’t share everything I’ve thought about over the past 20 months, but I’m pondering how to repay the love of fans that has touched my heart deeply. Thank you for waiting. I love and appreciate you.” tenasia reported.
Before enlisting, Taeyong promised fans his commitment to returning as an improved version of himself. During his absence, he had already established himself as a successful solo artist, releasing two EPs, “Shalala” in 2023 and “TAP” in 2024, both of which topped the iTunes Top Albums chart in multiple regions.
Taeyong’s completion of service comes amid significant transitions for NCT 127. While Taeyong marks his first leave of absence, other members continue their obligations, with Jaehyun currently serving and Doyoung and Jungwoo recently starting their service on December 8. Taeyong has already announced plans to connect with fans, planning a livestream session to reconnect after his return to civilian life, as per The Herald of Korea.
