Xiumin And Chen’s Military Discharge: A Welcome Back Timeline
For EXO-L, military service became one of the defining timelines of EXO’s recent history. Xiumin was the first member to enlist, while Chen entered service more than a year later. Their departures created long gaps in group activities, yet each return brought a fresh wave of excitement across the fandom.
Australian fans followed the news across different time zones, often waking up to Korean entertainment updates or catching them during the morning commute. From Sydney and Melbourne to Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, EXO-L turned enlistment dates, discharge announcements and new music releases into shared milestones.
Why Military Service Changed EXO’s Schedule
South Korea’s mandatory military service meant that EXO’s group plans had to be arranged around individual enlistment dates. Xiumin enlisted on 7 May 2019, beginning his active-duty service in the Republic of Korea Army. His departure followed years of intense activity, including albums, tours, variety appearances and EXO-CBX promotions.
Chen enlisted on 26 October 2020, after Xiumin had already completed his service. By then, the global pandemic had changed how fans experienced celebrity news. Public events were limited, travel was difficult and official military updates were often the main way international supporters could follow each member’s progress.
For fans in Australia, Korean Standard Time made the schedule feel slightly different. During Australian Eastern Standard Time, Korea is one hour ahead of Sydney and Melbourne; during daylight saving, the gap becomes two hours. A discharge update posted in Korea could therefore appear during the Australian morning or around lunchtime, depending on the season.
Xiumin’s Service And Discharge
Xiumin’s enlistment marked the start of EXO’s military-service era. He entered the training centre in May 2019 and later served as an active-duty soldier. Although his absence was felt in group content, he continued to be recognised as an important part of EXO’s identity and vocal balance.
His discharge date was 6 December 2020. Because of health and safety protocols during the pandemic, fans did not receive the kind of large public welcome that might have taken place in another year. Even without a major gathering, the news travelled quickly through social media, fan accounts, Korean entertainment outlets and EXO’s official channels.
For Australian EXO-L, Xiumin’s return felt especially meaningful because it showed that the long wait could reach a happy milestone. Fans in Sydney’s Korean community, Melbourne’s K-pop circles and online group chats shared translations, photos and messages throughout the day. The mood was celebratory without requiring anyone to travel overseas.
Chen’s Longer Wait
Chen enlisted on 26 October 2020 and served in the Army. His enlistment came after a period of major personal changes, including his marriage announcement and the birth of his first child. These details shaped the public conversation around his service, but his military career remained separate from his work and family life.
Chen was discharged on 25 April 2022 after completing his military duty. The date fell on ANZAC Day in Australia, a national day of remembrance observed with dawn services, marches and community gatherings. For Australian fans, that created an unusual calendar connection: an important EXO update arrived on a day already marked by reflection and public commemorations across the country.
Chen’s return also arrived as the global music industry was reopening after long periods of disruption. Fans were once again watching for concerts, album announcements and in-person events. His discharge therefore represented more than the end of an individual absence; it suggested that EXO’s wider schedule could gradually move into a new phase.
The Milestones At A Glance
Xiumin and Chen followed different paths into and out of military service. The dates below place their enlistments and discharges side by side, making the gap between their timelines easier to follow.
| Milestone | Xiumin | Chen |
|---|---|---|
| Enlistment date | 7 May 2019 | 26 October 2020 |
| Service branch | Republic of Korea Army | Republic of Korea Army |
| Time as an enlisted EXO member | First member to enlist | Enlisted after Xiumin |
| Discharge date | 6 December 2020 | 25 April 2022 |
| Australian fan context | News arrived during the pandemic | Discharged on ANZAC Day |
| Meaning for EXO-L | Opened the military-service era | Closed a major part of the waiting period |
Xiumin’s discharge came roughly 19 months after his enlistment, while Chen’s service lasted approximately 18 months. Their timelines overlapped for several weeks, creating a period when both members were serving at the same time.
The comparison also explains why fans experienced the waiting period in stages. Xiumin’s return offered the first sign that an EXO member could resume public activities, while Chen’s discharge arrived later, after the group and fandom had adapted to a much longer cycle of individual schedules.
How Fans Marked The Welcome Back
EXO-L responses were shaped by the way modern fandom works. Supporters followed official statements, shared translated posts, streamed older performances and revisited favourite EXO-CBX and solo moments. Australian fans could participate from home, often using Spotify Australia, YouTube and local K-pop communities rather than relying on physical events.
Fan activity also reflected local habits and geography. Supporters in Sydney might organise online viewing sessions around the city’s evening rush, while Melbourne fans could discuss updates during a café catch-up or after university classes. In Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, where international K-pop events may be less frequent than in Sydney or Melbourne, online communities helped keep the celebration connected.
Common ways fans marked the returns included:
- Sharing welcome-back messages across X, Instagram, TikTok and fan forums
- Streaming Xiumin’s and Chen’s solo or EXO-related music
- Rewatching concerts, music videos and behind-the-scenes clips
- Supporting official albums and merchandise through Australian retailers
- Posting translated timelines so newer EXO-L could understand the significance
- Using local meet-ups, group chats and Korean cultural events to celebrate together
The Australian market also brought practical considerations. Fans purchasing albums often checked shipping times, import costs and local stock, while concertgoers watched Australian promoters for announcements about future tours. A comeback could trend globally while fans in Australia were still waiting for physical albums to arrive at a Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane store.
From Discharge To EXO’s Next Chapter
Military discharge did not mean that every group activity resumed immediately. Members still had solo schedules, acting work, variety appearances and personal commitments. EXO’s future plans had to account for the availability of all members, production timelines and the changing live-entertainment landscape.
Xiumin’s return allowed him to continue building his solo and sub-unit presence, while Chen brought renewed attention to his distinctive vocal style and individual music. Their post-service activities gave fans new ways to appreciate them beyond the group’s standard album cycle.
For EXO-L in Australia, the timeline remains valuable because it connects past uncertainty with later moments of reunion. It explains why certain performances, albums and appearances carried extra emotional weight. It also preserves the community memory of waiting through different stages, from Xiumin’s enlistment in 2019 to Chen’s discharge in 2022.
Keep following EXO-L for EXO news, member updates, music videos, performance coverage, photo galleries and discography features. Revisit the milestones, share the memories with fellow Australian EXO-L and stay tuned for the group’s next chapter.