NCT leader Taeyong discharged from Navy today

Taeyong, the leader of the group NCT, has officially completed his mandatory military service.

On December 14, Taeyong concluded his active duty service. Having enlisted on April 15 of last year as the first NCT member to fulfill his national defense duties, he has faithfully served in the Republic of Korea Navy.

Meeting fans at the discharge site, Taeyong shared his thoughts on returning to civilian life. "Thank you so much for coming all this way in the cold weather," he said. "I enlisted in the spring, so being discharged on a snowy winter day feels surreal."

He immediately raised expectations for his return to the stage, stating, "I am working fast to prepare so that we can meet again soon, so please look forward to it." He then bowed to the fans, adding, "You’ve waited a long time. Thank you so much."

Since entering the music industry as a member of NCT in 2016, Taeyong has been active in NCT U, NCT 127, and SuperM, receiving love from fans worldwide. Beyond group activities, he has also been recognized for his musical capabilities as a solo artist, releasing high-quality albums.

At the time of his enlistment, Taeyong promised, "Thanks to you and the members, I was able to grow significantly... I will work hard during my service and learn a lot. When I return, I will stand on stage as a better version of myself." Now that he has returned as a civilian, anticipation is mounting for the changes and growth he will showcase.

Meanwhile, NCT is continuing activities both separately and together as members take turns fulfilling their military duties. Jaehyun enlisted in the Army Band last November, while Doyoung and Jungwoo began their active duty service in the Army on December 8.