Korean Dictionary
How to say "Military Service (K-pop)" in Korean
“Military Service (K-pop)” in Korean is 입대 (pronounced "ipdae").
입대
ipdae
Usage & Context
Military service is mandatory for Korean men, including K-pop idols. The 입대 of popular idols often sends fan communities into mourning and anticipation for their eventual return.
Example Sentence
그 아이돌의 입대 소식에 팬들이 눈물을 흘렸다.
Fans shed tears at the news of the idol's military service.
How to use 입대 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Military Service (K-pop)” is 입대, romanized as ipdae.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 입대.
Pronunciation Guide
"입" (ip) sounds like "ip" in "lip". "대" (dae) sounds like "day" in English. The stress is on the first syllable, "ip".
More Example Sentences
Reading entertainment news.
그 배우는 다음 달에 입대한다고 발표했어요.
That actor announced he's enlisting next month.
Recalling a bittersweet memory with a friend.
친구의 입대 전 마지막 휴가를 함께 보냈어요.
I spent my friend's last vacation before enlistment with him.
Discussing the emotional impact of idol enlistment on fans.
아이돌의 입대 날짜가 다가올수록 팬들의 마음은 복잡해져요.
As an idol's enlistment date approaches, fans' feelings become complicated.
Cultural Context
"입대" (ipdae) is a significant event for all Korean men, as mandatory military service is a rite of passage. For K-pop idols, it's a particularly sensitive topic, often leading to a temporary hiatus in their careers. Fans often hold emotional farewell events and count down the days until their idols' "전역" (jeonyeok, discharge). The military service period is typically around 18 months, and idols often use this time to mature, sometimes even returning with a more refined image.
Editorial note
We review entries like 입대 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
입대하다
to enlist (in the military)
입대 전
before enlistment
입대 날짜
enlistment date
Related Expressions
군대
gundae
military, army
군 복무
gun bokmu
military service (general term)
전역
jeonyeok
discharge from military service
훈련소
hunlyeonso
training camp
More Korean Pop Culture Words
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