As the group Wanna One gathers as a full lineup for the first time in seven years, fans' disappointment is growing as Kang Daniel prepares to enlist.
On the 14th, OSEN reported that singer Kang Daniel has confirmed he will enlist as an active-duty soldier in the army on Feb. 9. After debuting in 2017 with idol group Wanna One, he will enter a long "military hiatus" about nine years later.
Kang Daniel, who was chosen as the center of Wanna One through Mnet's 2017 audition program "Produce 101 Season 2," caused a sensation that year and received immense love. Because of the limited activity period, the group disbanded in the first half of 2019, but he debuted as a solo singer in July of the same year and showed a variety of activities including hosting programs, appearing on entertainment shows and acting.
Born in 1996, Kang Daniel kept busy through his 20s showing a relentless work ethic, and especially ahead of this military enlistment, fans' disappointing voices are emerging. That is because Wanna One announced a reunion earlier this year seven years after their disbandment.
Recently, Mnet's YouTube channel released a video titled "2026 coming soon we'll meet again," and Wanna One members shared the video, raising expectations for a "Wanna One comeback."
Regarding this, an Mnet official told OSEN, "While Wanna One members were considering meeting with Wannables, they agreed on producing the reality program (Wanna One Go) that Wannables liked most," and said, "Mnet is preparing with the goal of releasing it in the first half of 2026. We will inform you of the specific scheduling and details as soon as they are confirmed," offering an official position.
Coincidentally, last month Hwang Min-hyun completed his military service as a social service worker and was discharged from active duty, and Kim Jae-hwan also finished serving in the military band and was discharged. With Hwang Min-hyun and Kim Jae-hwan returning, Kang Daniel is waiting to enlist by taking the baton, making it inevitably disappointing.
In response, Kang Daniel cautiously replied on a fan community platform to the question "Are we?? Will Wanna One participate?", "Ah, there are a lot of questions about this so I want to answer..it's that reality show, right? And I'm going abroad to study next year so maybe just an intro... together..?" It appears Kang Daniel will participate only partially in "Wanna One Go".
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]