Seungkwan has spent more than a decade as one of SEVENTEEN’s most beloved members, known for his powerful vocals, comedic timing, and role as the group’s emotional mood-maker. As the K-pop group’s vocal line and its subunit BSS continue to draw global attention, and with Seungkwan’s own military enlistment now officially confirmed for October 2026, here is a complete look at his life, career, and finances.
Who Is Seungkwan?
Seungkwan’s full birth name is Boo Seung-kwan. He was born on January 16, 1998, in Busan, South Korea, and was raised in Jeju-do, which makes him 28 years old as of 2026. He has two older sisters, Boo Jinseol and Boo Sojeong, and he graduated from Seoul Broadcasting High School in 2016, a school geared toward students pursuing careers in entertainment and media.
Long before his SEVENTEEN debut, Seungkwan performed at children’s song festivals held at his school and appeared on the pre-debut web series “Seventeen TV,” which ran from 2013 to 2014 and introduced the group’s future lineup to fans while documenting their trainee years. Outside of music, he enjoys calligraphy and plays basketball and volleyball in his free time.
How Did Seungkwan Become Famous?
Seungkwan trained under Pledis Entertainment before officially debuting with SEVENTEEN on May 26, 2015, as part of the group’s first mini album, “17 Carat.” Within the thirteen-member group, he serves as the main vocalist of the Vocal Team, quickly becoming known for his vocal power, expressive stage presence, and standout variety-show personality, which earned him a reputation as one of the “faces” of the group in entertainment programming.
In March 2018, Seungkwan debuted as part of SEVENTEEN’s subunit BSS, alongside members Hoshi and DK. The name “BSS” is drawn from a syllable of each member’s real name — “Boo” from Boo Seungkwan, “Seok” from Lee Seokmin (DK), and “Soon” from Kwon Soonyoung (Hoshi). The trio released their debut single, “Just Do It,” in 2018 and has continued to put out music together in the years since, building a following distinct from the main group’s activities.
Seungkwan has also built a solo profile through OST contributions, self-composed songs, and appearances on variety programs including “Prison Life of Fools” and “Unexpected Q.” In 2026, he released a duo mini-album titled “Serenade” together with fellow member DK, featuring the title track “Blue” alongside his solo song “Dream Serenade,” further expanding his output outside of SEVENTEEN’s main group promotions. His work has also included collaborations, festival performances, and brand ambassador roles, and he has continued to balance group activities with variety hosting and solo music throughout his career.
Is Seungkwan Going to the Military?
Yes. On August 9–10, 2026, Pledis Entertainment confirmed that Seungkwan, alongside fellow SEVENTEEN member Dino, will enlist in the Army’s military band on October 26, 2026. Reports indicated that Seungkwan had applied for and been accepted into the military band ahead of this announcement. Both members are expected to participate in official group activities up until their enlistment date. Their agency has asked fans not to visit the enlistment site in person, citing the number of other enlistees and their families expected to be present.
Seungkwan’s enlistment follows those of several other SEVENTEEN members who began their own mandatory service earlier in 2026, including Hoshi, Woozi, Wonwoo, and Jeonghan, with member Mingyu also confirmed to begin his own service on September 10, 2026, just weeks before Seungkwan and Dino. SEVENTEEN has stated that a full 13-member group reunion and comeback is planned for 2028, once all members currently completing their military service have been discharged.
Seungkwan’s Net Worth
As with most K-pop idols, Seungkwan’s finances are not officially disclosed, and public estimates vary widely depending on the source and how recently they were compiled. Older estimates from earlier in his career placed his net worth at a few hundred thousand dollars, reflecting typical trainee-to-idol income growth in the years following SEVENTEEN’s 2015 debut.
By contrast, SEVENTEEN as a full group has been estimated by some entertainment outlets to be worth around $20 million collectively, a figure reflecting the commercial success of the group’s album sales, world tours, and brand partnerships since its debut. Seungkwan’s individual share of that success is difficult to pin down precisely, but his income streams are generally understood to include:
- SEVENTEEN’s group earnings from album sales, streaming, and touring revenue
- BSS subunit activities, including album releases and related promotions
- Solo music releases, including his 2026 collaborative mini-album with DK
- OST contributions to Korean television dramas
- Variety show hosting and guest appearances
- Brand ambassadorships and endorsements
Given the difficulty of verifying private idol earnings, any specific figure attached to Seungkwan individually should be treated as an estimate rather than a confirmed number.
What Comes Next for Seungkwan
With his enlistment date set for October 26, 2026, Seungkwan is expected to remain active in SEVENTEEN’s group schedule right up until that point, including likely additional promotion around his and DK’s 2026 “Serenade” release. Once his service begins, fans can expect a mix of previously recorded content to continue surfacing, in line with how SEVENTEEN’s agency has handled the enlistments of other members throughout the year, with the group’s full comeback anticipated once every member has completed their mandatory service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Seungkwan? Seungkwan was born on January 16, 1998, making him 28 years old as of 2026.
Is Seungkwan going to the military? Yes. His agency confirmed he will enlist in the Army’s military band on October 26, 2026, alongside fellow SEVENTEEN member Dino.
What is Seungkwan’s role in SEVENTEEN? He is the main vocalist of SEVENTEEN’s Vocal Team and a member of the subunit BSS, alongside Hoshi and DK.
What is Seungkwan’s net worth? His individual finances are not officially disclosed, though various entertainment outlets have offered differing estimates over the years, generally in the low millions of dollars once group and solo income are combined.
What is BSS? BSS, short for “BooSeokSoon,” is a SEVENTEEN subunit made up of Seungkwan, DK, and Hoshi, formed using a syllable from each member’s real name.
Where is Seungkwan from? He was born in Busan, South Korea, and was raised in Jeju-do.
What agency is Seungkwan signed to? He is signed with Pledis Entertainment as a member of SEVENTEEN.
When will SEVENTEEN reunite as a full group? The group has indicated a complete 13-member comeback is planned for 2028, once members currently serving in the military have been discharged.