Taemin Will Finish Military Service ‘as a Public Service Worker’ Due to ‘Depression and Anxiety’

Taemin is known as a member of the K-pop groups SHINee and SuperM, and he is also an accomplished solo artist. In May 2021, the artist enlisted for his mandatory military service. On Jan. 14, SM Entertainment announced that Taemin will complete his military service “as a public service worker” because of “symptoms of depression and anxiety.”

Taemin’s military assignment changed

Following Taemin’s transfer, SM Entertainment issued a statement about the singer to update fans.

According to Soompi, SM Entertainment wrote:

“This is SM Entertainment.

As of January 14, Taemin has been transferred from the military band to supplementary service.

Due to the symptoms of depression and anxiety that Taemin has been suffering from before [his enlistment], he continued to receive treatment and therapy even while carrying out his service. However, because his symptoms recently worsened, the military determined that it had become impossible for him to continue his military life and treatment at the same time, and he was accordingly transferred to supplementary service.

Therefore, Taemin plans to fulfill his military duty as a public service worker.

We apologize for giving you cause for concern through this sudden news, and we will continue to focus on Taemin’s treatment in the future and do our utmost to ensure that he can find stability.

Thank you.”

Taemin originally enlisted in the military in 2021

In South Korea, men between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to enlist in the military. Taemin announced his plans to enlist on April 19, 2021, with a VLIVE. In the livestream, the singer told fans his enlistment date was May 31, 2021.

“There is more than a month left, so I didn’t want to spend it already being sad. I wanted to tell you with my own words directly,” he said in the VLIVE according to Soompi.

The singer continued, “I’m going to do a Beyond LIVE [concert] on May 2. My solo album will come out in the second or third week of May. The album schedule hasn’t been confirmed yet, but I will be able to show one last brilliant performance and music.”

Fans of the singer shared their support for him

After SM Entertainment published the statement about Taemin’s mental health and assignment transfer K-pop fans shared support for the singer on social media.

“Poor Taemin. This breaks my heart for him. I sincerely hope he gets the help he needs. And I hope what sounds like a much less stressful and far more private job will aid in his recovery. I’m also glad this is being taken seriously by the military…,” one fan wrote on Reddit.

“… My heart dropped as I started reading the title of the post but I just want him to do whatever so he is happy. Happiness first. Self love and happiness always first. He deserves it,” wrote a Reddit user.

“… at least through social service he will be able to live at home full time, see his family (and koongie) more, and hopefully mediate a work/life balance that puts his health first,” a fan wrote on Reddit.

How to get help: In the U.S. and Canada, text the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to reach a crisis counselor for support.