The K-pop world received official news regarding the military service of singer and producer Baekho, a former member of the prominent boy group NU’EST.
The announcement, confirmed by his agency TEAM BAEKHO on December 8, 2025, details that the artist will soon be commencing his mandatory military duty as an active-duty soldier in the Republic of Korea Army, marking a significant, albeit temporary, pause in his successful solo career.
Key Details and Service Commitment
Baekho, whose birth year is 1995, is slated to begin his national service on Monday, December 29.
This date is highly significant, placing his enlistment at the close of the year 2025, which aligns with the typical military service timeline for his age cohort in South Korea.
The official statement from TEAM BAEKHO specified the initial steps of his service:
- Entry Point: He will enter the Army Training Center.
- Initial Phase: He will first receive basic military training, a rigorous phase designed to prepare him for the demands of military life.
- Service Classification: Following his training, he will fulfill his duty as an active-duty Army soldier. This category typically requires 21 months of commitment and signifies the most direct form of military service.
The announcement was initially shared on the fan community platform Weverse, demonstrating the agency’s and Baekho’s commitment to directly communicating such important news to his dedicated fanbase, known as dOnO.
Agency Request for Privacy and Fan Support
In the same official communication, TEAM BAEKHO issued a heartfelt request to fans concerning the day of his entry.
The agency confirmed that “no separate official event will be held on the day of enlistment.”
This decision is standard protocol, emphasizing the privacy and respect required for all service members and their families gathering at the training center.
The statement explicitly asked fans to refrain from visiting the enlistment site, stating:
“Because the training center entrance ceremony is an occasion attended by many service members and their families, we ask that you refrain from visiting the enlistment site.”
Instead, the agency encouraged dOnO to channel their love and support through digital means:
“We would appreciate it if dOnO fans would leave your messages for Baekho on Weverse.”
This ensures that fans can send off the artist with warmth without causing congestion or disruption at the military facility.
The agency concluded its message by seeking “warm encouragement and continued love until the day Baekho fulfills his defense duties and returns in good health.”
A Career Marked by Talent and Versatility
Baekho’s temporary hiatus comes after a remarkable career journey characterized by resilience and expansion of his artistic talents.
He made his debut in 2012 as the main vocalist of NU’EST, quickly becoming recognized for his powerful vocals.
After the group’s highly publicized appearance on the survival program Produce 101 Season 2 in 2017, he gained further fame, earning the nickname ‘sexy bandit’ and showcasing his stable vocals and versatility.
Although he placed 13th and did not debut with the project group Wanna One, the show provided a crucial catalyst for NU’EST’s career revitalization.
Following NU’EST’s disbandment in 2022, Baekho successfully transitioned into a solo artist and expanded his artistic reach into musicals and variety shows.
He has shown versatility as a singer-songwriter and producer, being credited on many of NU’EST’s later releases.
Prior to his enlistment announcement, he released new music, including his single album “Rush Mode (RUSH MODE)” released in November.
Furthermore, the actor is confirmed to appear on the tvN variety program Health Farmer, which is scheduled to premiere shortly after his enlistment announcement, providing fans with some content to enjoy during his absence.
This enlistment closes a chapter in his solo career under his own label, TEAM BAEKHO, which he established in partnership with PrismFilter after departing Pledis Entertainment in March of this year.
His period of service will be approximately 21 months, with his return eagerly awaited by fans who have supported him through every phase of his career.
The world of K-pop and international entertainment witnessed a viral moment as Bailey, a member of the girl group ALLDAY PROJECT, unexpectedly received a direct message (DM) from the global music superstar and entrepreneur, Rihanna.
The surprising interaction, which quickly became a hot topic online, served as powerful validation of Bailey’s growing international appeal and her immense talent as a dancer and choreographer.
The highly anticipated reveal of the exchange was chronicled during a segment on a popular Korean YouTube channel.
The YouTube Catalyst: Discussing A-List Connections
The sequence of events leading to the star-to-star communication began when Bailey appeared as a guest on Moon Sang Hoon’s YouTube channel, BDNS, on December 6, 2025.
During their casual yet engaging conversation, the host zeroed in on Bailey’s impressive social media following list.
He noted that Bailey, a rising figure in the K-pop scene and an internationally recognized dancer, was mutually following Rihanna on Instagram, a connection that is rare and noteworthy in the competitive global industry.
Moon Sang Hoon questioned Bailey about the connection, asking if she had ever taken the leap to message the pop powerhouse.
Bailey, known professionally for her fierce stage presence but personally for her humble demeanor, admitted that while she held deep admiration for the “Umbrella” singer, she hadn’t yet “gotten as far as sending a DM.”
She described the moment she realized Rihanna had followed her as completely “surreal,” expressing the profound shock and awe that comes from being acknowledged by a genuine icon.
Peer Encouragement and A History of Recognition
host, keen to create an unforgettable moment for his show and his guest, strongly encouraged Bailey to seize the opportunity.
Moon Sang Hoon emphasized the importance of such spontaneous interactions, noting how they can become defining—or even legendary—moments in an artist’s personal history.
He shared his own successful attempt at reaching out to a celebrity, recounting how he had sent a simple message of “I love you” to the celebrated Egyptian soccer star Mohamed Salah.
Bailey’s prior experiences provided context for her international recognition. She recounted a memorable instance when American singer Billie Eilish had spontaneously reposted one of her complicated and viral dance videos.
In response to that honor, Bailey had messaged Eilish to convey her immense gratitude and fan status.
This demonstrated that her talent often leads to natural, high-profile recognition, encouraging her to take the advice of the MC.
Finally relenting to Moon Sang Hoon’s persistent and encouraging push, Bailey decided to keep her message brief and sincere, composing a simple, fan-like message to Rihanna: “Hi, I love you.”
The Legendary One-Word Reply
The conclusion of the YouTube episode delivered the ultimate shock and excitement: Bailey revealed a screenshot of her Instagram direct message inbox.
ALLDAY PROJECT’s Bailey (Credit: YouTube)
A few days after sending her brief fan declaration, the Savage X Fenty founder and chart-topping artist had replied.
Rihanna’s response was characteristically cool, minimal, and perfectly delivered, consisting of one single word: “Same.”
This legendary, one-word acknowledgment sent shockwaves across social media. Netizens immediately erupted in a frenzy of praise, expressing how stunned and proud they were of the ALLDAY PROJECT member.
The interaction reinforced Bailey’s status as a formidable global talent whose artistic influence is now formally recognized by one of the biggest names in the world.
