According to media outlets, EXO Kai's enlistment is NOT sudden, and here's why it can be no longer postponed. What really happened?

K-Media Claims EXO Kai Might Have Had Used All Number of Times He Can Postpone Enlistment

On May 3, SM Entertainment shocked the whole K-pop industry when it broke the news about EXO Kai's military enlistment.

According to the company, the top male idol will enter the army training center on May 11 and will receive his basic military training before serving as a substitute for social service personnel.

At the time, it was revealed that the reason for his sudden enlistment was "a recent change in the regulations of the Manpower Military Administration."

Along with SM, EXO Kai confessed that he was also shocked by the news as he knew about his enlistment on the same day as well.

Initially, there is wishful thinking that he could still postpone his service since he's only 29 years old (international age) and a lot of idols can postpone it until they're 30.

ALSO READ: EXO Kai to Enlist in Military, Raises Questions on Group's Comeback & Participation

However, an official from the Military Manpower Administration stepped out to clarify the situation, emphasizing that there is no change in the regulations, contrary to what was initially mentioned by SM.

According to the Military Service Act, a total of five postponements on the date of enlistment can be made within two years.

As a result, the official implied that Kai has already used up the number of times he can postpone his enlistment, thus, he could no longer postpone and had to follow the summon.

If this is true, then Korean media are claiming that it is not sudden and the idol and the company must have been expecting it, drawing mixed reactions.

SM Criticized For Initial Statement + Idol Raised Brows After Applying For Public Service Worker

Due to Kai's "sudden" enlistment in the military, EXO's full comeback has been further delayed. Fans who have been looking forward to the group's activities as a whole are continuing to regret them.

With this, fans are blaming SM Entertainment for what happened, especially criticizing the company for "lying" about the male idol's reason for enlistment. EXO-Ls are also emphasizing that things could have been different if the agency scheduled EXO's comeback earlier.

Meanwhile, following the news, a lot of netters were also met with doubts and raised their brows against the idol after it was revealed that he applied to become a public service worker. It is speculated that he won't serve as an active-duty soldier due to his herniated disc and waist injury in the past.

However, netizens are not convinced and left comments such as:

• "He has an injury but can bend his waist when dancing?"
• "He has no problem on stage but suddenly has health problems when it comes to serving the military?"

In response, EXO-Ls took to his defense and explained that he has been suffering from his injuries since his debut, but he can still perform like it was nothing, just proving his professionalism.

READ MORE: EXO Kai Leaves Eris Laughing After Emotional Livestream For THIS Reason

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Written by Eunice Dawson.