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 member of NCT to fulfill the country's mandatory enlistment requirement.
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, specifically serving in the publicity unit of the Gugak Honor Guard Battalion. This specialized role allowed him to continue contributing through his artistic talents while fulfilling his civic duty.
The discharge ceremony proved especially emotional, as captured in videos shared by SM Entertainment and NCT's official social media accounts. Following his official release, Taeyong reunited with his family, bowing formally to his parents in a touching display of respect and gratitude, according to allkpop. Photographs from the occasion showed him receiving flowers and embracing his mother, moments that quickly resonated across social media platforms.
Through his Instagram, Taeyong shared his feelings about returning to civilian life. He posted several photos alongside the caption marking his service dates, from 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 truly civilian Taeyong" and described the experience as feeling like a dream.
He acknowledged the significant wait fans endured, stating, "I can't share everything I've thought about over the past 20 months, but I'm pondering how to repay the love from fans that has deeply touched my heart. Thank you for waiting. I love and appreciate you," tenasia reported.
Before enlisting, Taeyong had 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 topping iTunes' Top Albums chart across multiple regions.
The completion of Taeyong's service arrives amid significant transitions for NCT 127. While Taeyong marks the first discharge, other members continue their own obligations, with Jaehyun currently serving and Doyoung and Jungwoo having recently begun their service on December 8. Taeyong has already announced plans to connect with fans, scheduling a livestream session to reconnect following his return to civilian life, as per The Korea Herald.
