He’s back! EXO’s Baekhyun gets discharged from the military

EXO-Ls are celebrating right now as one of the members of the Korean boy group, EXO, has completed his mandatory military service.

Byun Baek Hyun, better known as Baekhyun, has been released from the military after 641 days after completing his service in the camp.

#BAEKHYUN_is_back trended on Twitter as the K-idol posted his update on EXO’s official fan community.

“Eris!! You’ve waited so long!! I’m here!~♡ Now I won’t be going anywhere~♡ Are you happy~? I’m happy too~!,” he said in his message, originally posted in Korean. 

He also shared three selcas that made fans swoon as they have not seen him for a long time.

EXO-Ls were quick to let the idol know how much they missed him by making the #BAEKHYUN_is_back trend on both Instagram and Twitter. They shared their messages expressing how happy they are that he is back. 

Baekhyun and his military service

All able-bodied South Korean men under the age of 30 are required to render military service for about a year and nine months in the camp. This is to prepare them in case of war. 

Baekhyun, who was 29 when he entered the camp, did not qualify for active service due to his hypothyroidism. Instead, he served as a public service worker, another option for Korean men to complete their military duties.

The Korean singer is the 6th member from EXO who completed military service. 

Here is the list of the members of the Korean boy group who finished their service:

1. Xiumin was the first member of the group who enlisted in the military. He entered the service on  May 7, 2019 and was discharged on December 6, 2020.

2. Do Kyung Soo, known by his stage name D.O., followed on July 1, 2019 and was released on January 25, 2020.

3. EXO’s leader, Suho, enlisted on May 14, 2020 and came back on February 14, 2022, giving EXO-Ls a delightful Valentine gift.

4. Chen was the fourth member who entered the military on October 26, 2020 and finished it on April 25, 2022.

5.  The fifth member to enter the military was Chanyeol who served from March 29, 2021 up to September 2022.

Baekhyun was the most recent member of EXO to complete his service. Two more members of the group have not yet entered the camp: Kai who is currently aged 27, and EXO’s maknae Sehun, who both still have time before getting called to enlist in the military.

Who is Baekhyun?

Byun Baek Hyun is a South Korean singer-songwriter who is one of the main vocalists of EXO. 

The group debuted in 2012 with 12 members. Members Luhan and Kris left in 2014 and Tao in 2015. Meanwhile, Lay left the band’s original company in 2022, but clarified that he is still part of the group.

Baekhyun is one of the most versatile singers in South Korea, and was given the title “Genius Idol” of the K-entertainment industry. He is known for his powerful voice that can reach several high notes in a song.

He was scouted by an SM Entertainment representative in front of his school who asked him if he wanted to join the company. The singer officially joined SM Entertainment in 2011, a year before he debuted as a part of the world-renowned group, EXO.

In his career as a K-idol, Baekhyun also became the leader of SuperM, which is a sub-unit of male idols from SM Entertainment with SHINee’s Taemin, EXO’s Kai, NCT’s Taeyong, Mark, Lucas, and Ten.

Banner courtesy via SM Entertainment