On May 3(KST), SM Entertainment announced that EXO‘s Kai would begin his mandatory military enlistment on May 11.
Hello, this is SM Entertainment.
We are delivering sudden news regarding Kai’s enlistment date.
Although Kai had been preparing for EXO’s comeback later this year, due to recent changes in the law regarding military enlistment, Kai will be enlisting on May 11 to complete his basic training, after which he will begin working as a social worker.
To respect Kai’s wishes to quietly enlist, we are not revealing the place and time at which he will enlist. We also ask that fans understand that any scheduled events on that day will be canceled.
We will reveal details regarding EXO’s upcoming album as they are confirmed.
Thank you.
— SM Entertainment
During a tearful live stream, the EXO member thanked fans for their support and expressed frustration not with having to enlist but rather with the sudden announcement. Kai shared that he found out the same day fans did, and he expressed regret over not having time to show everything he planned.
There’s so much that I had prepared. What a pity. That’s what’s upsetting. There’s nothing that I could do about this. I’m sad that I can’t show you what I prepared but I can just show it after I return.
— Kai
This includes his participation in EXO’s upcoming comeback being limited to what is pre-recording before his enlistment.
Near the end of this live stream, the star said he wished to see fans again, saying he’d “blackmail” or “drag” his company by the neck to ensure something would be planned before May 11.
And regarding a chance to see each other, […] I have to blackmail them or drag them by the neck, I’ll make it happen no matter what it takes, so we’ll see each other then.
It seems like his “threats” were successful — just a day later, SM Entertainment announced that Kai would be holding a special fan meeting on May 9th. This fan meeting will take place at YES24 Hall in Seoul and be live-streamed worldwide for free.
Hello. This is SM Entertainment.
We are writing to send out a notice that we have prepared a place on Tuesday, May 9 at 7PM at YES24 Live Hall for Kai and EXO-L.
As it is a small place, the event will be free and only EXO-L ACE III and EXO-L ACE II are able to pre-register. For fans that are not able to come to the venue, it will be broadcast live on EXO’s Youtube Channel.
As it is a place that is prepared for those who love Kai to be with him, we ask for your understanding of any shortcomings. Detailed information regarding pre-registrations and attendance will be shared as it is organized.
— SM Entertainment
Following the reveal, Kai shared messages on Dear. U Bubble expressing his joy at his “threats” being successful.
I succeeed in “blackmailing”… fan meeting.
All I have to do is frown a little.
The artist then went live on Instagram again, relaying the news face-to-face and showing appreciation for how hard the company worked to schedule his event.
Today is good, right? Did you see the notice before I left? Right? I said I would make it somehow as a joke, but the managers worked really hard at the company so I was able to see everyone after the notice.
The mood of this live was very different than his last, with Kai sharing his happiness over his upcoming schedule.
I feel so good. I’m happy. I ate Malatang today. I’m doing a live broadcast on the 9th. The company worked hard.
Fans are overjoyed that they will see the idol again before his enlistment and that his “threats” worked!
Kai threatened the largest entertainment company in South Korea, and the threat worked
pic.twitter.com/iqiezYVW7i— فريال|EXO is 9
(@weare1oneexo) May 4, 2023
There we go…!! Kim Jongin really threatened SM to give him a fanmeet before enlistment and that too the online streaming is for FREE for real
meet you Kai on 9th may then
pic.twitter.com/GVBngmLtSi
— 1ΞX0ℓank | EXO’ CLOCK
(@EXOzCosmicLatte) May 4, 2023
HE DID IT!!! OUR KAI SUCCESSFULLY THREATENED SM
https://t.co/nYZEDkn2PY
— emily (@DY0JN0GIN) May 4, 2023
This content was originally published here.
