Kim Mingyu stepped out in Seongsu this week with a clean buzzcut that immediately flooded timelines. Videos from a Simmons mattress pop-up on September 3 captured the SEVENTEEN member moving through the event with the shortest hair he’s worn in years, the cut sitting close to the scalp and framing his features sharply. Fans who spotted him leaving the venue wasted no time sharing clips, and the look spread fast.
For global CARATs following the group’s staggered enlistment wave, the timing lands with clear context. Pledis Entertainment confirmed in August that Mingyu begins alternative service as a social service agent on September 10. DK reports for active duty on September 8, while Seungkwan and Dino join the Army military band on October 26. Several members Wonwoo, Woozi, Hoshi, and Vernon are already serving. Mingyu has spent 2026 balancing brand work with Dior and other houses, variety appearances, and group schedules. The short cut fits the practical shift many idols make ahead of service, though his height and bone structure still carry the same visual weight that made him a standout since debut.
Online reactions mixed surprise with the usual praise. Fans posted side-by-side comparisons and short clips, noting how the cut emphasizes his jawline and eyes. Comments ranged from straightforward admiration “he’s ready to serve” to light jokes about the sudden change after years of longer styles. Clips of him walking in Seongsu circulated widely, with many simply writing that the new look works. The conversation stays light, focused on the visual and the countdown to his service start rather than speculation.
Mingyu’s last public schedules before September 10 are expected to stay low-key, consistent with the agency’s earlier request that fans avoid enlistment sites. The buzzcut itself has become the latest small marker in SEVENTEEN’s ongoing transition period, one more detail for fans tracking each member’s path through mandatory service.