Kang Daniel Military Enlistment: Wanna One Member Enters Army February 9, 2026
Former Wanna One center Kang Daniel will enlist for mandatory military service on February 9, 2026, his agency ARA confirmed on January 14. The 29-year-old soloist (born December 10, 1996) will serve as an active-duty soldier in the Republic of Korea Army.
ARA requested fans skip the enlistment site to ensure safety for all soldiers and families present. No send-off event will be held.
Wanna One Reunion Plans Affected by Enlistment
The enlistment announcement came two weeks after Mnet revealed Wanna One's first group reunion in seven years. The reality show, scheduled for the first half of 2026, will see limited participation from Kang Daniel.
When fans asked about his involvement, Kang Daniel joked he'd be "studying abroad," later clarifying he meant military service. He indicated he'd only appear in the show's opening segments before departing for the Army.
Final Music Projects Before Service
Kang Daniel released his special album "PULSEPHASE" on December 12, 2025-a significant milestone marking his first fully self-produced work. The five-track English-language album showcases genres from EDM to Moombahton, inspired by his 2024 world tour experiences across multiple continents.
Title track "Backseat Promises" premiered alongside the album release. Kang Daniel performed these new songs at his December 13 fan concert "RUNWAY: WALK TO DANIEL," his final public performance before enlistment.
Earlier in 2024, he dropped his fifth mini-album "ACT" on September 23, featuring title track "Electric Shock." During that promotional period, he openly discussed his upcoming service, stating he planned to "work as hard as possible" before enlisting.
Career Highlights: From Produce 101 to Solo Stardom
Kang Daniel achieved instant fame by winning first place on Mnet's "Produce 101 Season 2" in 2017, securing the center position for project group Wanna One. The 11-member act became a third-generation K-pop phenomenon, selling over a million copies of their debut album before disbanding in January 2019.
His solo debut came six months later with "Color On Me," which topped South Korea's Gaon Album Chart. Since establishing KONNECT Entertainment (later moving to ARA in 2024), he's released multiple successful albums and completed extensive international tours.
His October 2024 "ACT: New Episode" tour covered 14 North American and Latin American cities, followed by fan meetings in Japan. Concert film "Hold Your Breath" is scheduled for January 2026 release, featuring Seoul and European tour footage plus behind-the-scenes content.
What's Next After Military Service
Kang Daniel will complete approximately 18 months of mandatory military service. During a September 2024 radio appearance, he shared an amusing anecdote about his early enlistment attempt: "I dropped out of high school and took the GED wanting to enlist at 19, but there were too many applicants."
He's confirmed having post-discharge plans ready, though specific details remain undisclosed. Fans can expect his return to active promotions in mid-to-late 2027.
