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Desperate NCT, GOT7, EXO fans say '94-borns are 'American' as enlistment date changes

While Koreans born in 1994 are yet to reach the maximum age limit they have to enlist for their mandatory service by December 2022

Reality seems to be hitting third-gen fans as more and more of their favorite male K-pop idols are nearing the maximum age limit, i.e. 30 to enlist in mandatory military service. Last week, the Internet was in an uproar as SF9’s Inseong confirmed his enlistment date which means that it would take the nine members almost a decade to complete their service and reunite. Now, the latest government announcement has NCT, GOT7 and EXO fans worried for those members born in 1994.

While the maximum age limit for enlisting is 30 years in terms of Korean age, the government released a statement sharing that all healthy males born in 1994 have to enlist by December 2022. While those born in 1994 would turn 29 in Korean age this year, they will still have to enlist. This comes as a blow for K-pop fans who stan idols like NCT’s Taeil, EXO’s Kai and Sehun, and GOT7’s Jay B and Jinyoung and had hoped that they would have till 2023 to enlist.

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K-pop idols born in 1994 have to enlist in 2022

While second-gen fans are cheering for their groups that have finished their service and reunited like 2PM, 2AM, BTOB and BIGBANG, third-gen idols like A.C.E’s leader Jun, DAY6’s Dowoon and Wonpil are currently enlisting. On the release of the new information, we had NCT fans taking to Twitter to support Taeil, the first and oldest member who would have to enlist this year. Following them, we have GOT7 and EXO fans making hilarious memes regarding the members born in 1994.

‘Taeil already served’

Since only those whose nationality is South Korean have to enlist, one NCTzen tweeted, “TAEIL IS LITERALLY FROM ATLANTA. LOOK AT HIM AND HIS LONG TIME FRIEND LIL BABY.” Another joked, “Taeil already served btw.” Fans also made posts like, “When Taeil enlists i aint going to be no military wife i'm GOING there with him,” and “They can’t take taeil.”

‘Leave them alone’

One Ahgase posted about idol actor Jinyoung, “Jinyoung already served its real i have proofs.” Another GOT7 fan tried to guess what would happen at the base, “Jaebeom will be teaching other soldiers super sexy aegyeo while jinyoung tryna stop him as we speak.” One joked, “Kai and jaebeom having random dance battles in the barracks.” Another Ahgase tweeted, “The military can’t take jaebeom when he already served face his whole life.”

Another fan joked, “Kai, Sehun, Jinyoung, Jay B and Taeil were born in Brooklyn. Leave them alone.” One used the iconic ‘Euphoria’ meme, “Kai, sehun, taeil, jinyoung, jb..I can’t live without you.” Another added, “I have information that could lead to the reversal of kai and taeil having to go to the military.” One shared, “JayB, Kai, Sehun and Jinyoung are actually born in the Philippines. Leave them alone.”

Fans are going to go through a drought as those born in 1993 have to enlist this year anyway. So along with them, the male idols who are born in 1994 will have to enlist too. Some born in 1994 are ONEWE’s Yonghoon, N.Flying’s Hun and Jaehyun, OnlyOneOf’s KB, SF9’s Jaeyoon, Pentagon’s Hongseok, Dawn, MJ’s Astro, Winner’s Yoon, Teen Top’s Niel, BTS’ RM and J-hope, iKON’s Jay, B.A.P’s Youngjae, Monsta X’s Hyungwon and Jooheon.