SEVENTEEN’s DK and Vernon have set their military service timelines, giving CARATs a clear answer on when each member will step away from group activities. Vernon will begin service on August 20, 2026, while DK will enlist for active duty in the Republic of Korea Army on September 8, 2026.
The PLEDIS Entertainment announcement carries an important distinction for fans planning around the group’s schedules: both artists will remain involved in official commitments until their own start dates. Once service begins, though, neither can take part in SEVENTEEN activities, making the weeks ahead especially significant for CARATs.
SEVENTEEN DK and Vernon military enlistment dates
The dates are close, but the service arrangements are different. PLEDIS confirmed DK’s active-duty Army enlistment, while Vernon will start military service earlier. The agency also asked fans not to visit Vernon’s alternative-service location.
- Vernon: Military service begins August 20, 2026.
- DK: Active-duty Army enlistment begins September 8, 2026.
That gap means official appearances may continue with both members before August 20, then with DK through September 7 if official schedules are set during that period. PLEDIS did not announce a specific post-enlistment comeback, tour, or reduced-member plan.
Will DK and Vernon join SEVENTEEN activities?
Yes, up to their respective enlistment dates. The agency said both members will participate in all official activities scheduled before service begins. That confirmation separates the announced timeline from assumptions about SEVENTEEN’s broader plans, since PLEDIS has not outlined a future group schedule in this notice.
After August 20, Vernon will be unavailable for SEVENTEEN activities. DK remains set to complete official work before September 8, after which he will also be unable to participate. Pre-recorded content is planned to keep both idols connected with CARAT during service, but it will not replace live group participation.
The timing follows recent unit activity for both artists. Vernon recently debuted in V8 with THE8, while DK debuted in the duo DK X Seungkwan earlier this year, highlighting how much individual and unit work has remained part of SEVENTEEN’s current chapter.
How CARATs can support DK and Vernon
For CARATs, PLEDIS’s guidance is as practical as the schedule itself. Fans have been asked not to attend either enlistment ceremony because other enlistees and their families will be present. The agency also requested that no one visit Vernon’s alternative-service location.
Instead, PLEDIS directed messages of support to Weverse. The notice does not include discharge dates, future tour plans, or a confirmed lineup for a later comeback. What is confirmed is the longer view: SEVENTEEN recently completed a second full-group contract renewal, while the next official schedules before each member’s service date are the immediate dates for CARATs to watch.