The members of K-pop boy group NCT send off their leader, Taeyong, who enlisted in the South Korean military, April 15, 2024. Photo: @taeoxo_nct/InstagramNCT star Taeyong enlisted Monday in the South Korean military, becoming the first member of the popular K-pop boy band to fulfill his mandatory service.

On his Instagram account, Taeyong posted a photo of himself sporting his military buzz cut as his bandmates Yuta, Doyoung, Johnny, Jaehyun, Taeil, Jungwoo and Ten sent him off for his enlistment.

"I'll be back safely! Be healthy," the 28-year-old artist wrote in Korean on his Instagram post.

All able-bodied South Korean men aged under 30 must serve at least 18 months in the military as the country remains technically at war with North Korea.

Taeyong debuted in 2016 as the leader of NCT, which currently consists of 26 members who perform in various sub-units.

Last year, Taeyong made his solo debut with the extended play (EP) "SHALALA." He made a comeback earlier this year with the EP "Tap."

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