Who Is Woojin? Why Stray Kids' Former Member Is Trending Again in 2026
π· Photo: @woooojinn · 2026
If you've been seeing Woojin all over your Stray Kids timeline lately and wondering what's going on — there's actually a very specific reason, and it's a big one. Kim Woojin, the original ninth member of Stray Kids who departed in late 2019, is about to be discharged from mandatory military service. His expected discharge date is July 19, 2026. And the STAY fandom is already losing it.
But if you're a newer fan who joined the Stray Kids journey after 2019, you might be asking: who exactly is Woojin, what happened, and why do people still care this much? Let's break it all down.
Who Is Kim Woojin?
Kim Woojin (κΉμ°μ§) was born on April 8, 1997 in South Korea. He began his K-pop journey as a trainee at SM Entertainment — yes, that SM — where he trained alongside people who would later become NCT members. He eventually moved to JYP Entertainment, where he competed on the survival show Stray Kids in 2017 and secured his spot in the final lineup.
When Stray Kids officially debuted on March 25, 2018 with the EP I Am NOT, Woojin was their main vocalist and the eldest member of the group. His rich, stable vocal tone was a defining part of the group's early sound — you can hear it all over tracks like "Hellevator," "District 9," and "My Pace." He was also known for his warm, nurturing presence with the younger members. A lot of early STAYs will tell you he was basically the group's unofficial big brother.
π· Photo: @woooojinn · 2026
Why Did Woojin Leave Stray Kids?
On October 27, 2019, JYP Entertainment announced that Woojin was departing from Stray Kids and that his exclusive contract had been terminated, citing "personal circumstances." The announcement was sudden and vague — no details, no explanation, just a brief statement. The remaining members said goodbye in their own ways, and Stray Kids continued as an eight-member group.
JYP re-released the ClΓ©: LEVANTER album without Woojin's recorded vocals. That alone tells you how abrupt the whole thing was.
In 2020, anonymous sexual assault allegations surfaced against Woojin online. His agency denied them and took legal action against the person who made the claims — the allegations were later determined to be fabricated. Woojin addressed the situation directly in a documentary called Finger Killer in December 2020, where he spoke honestly about how the false accusations affected him emotionally and mentally. That took guts.
What Has Woojin Been Doing Since?
After clearing his name, Woojin moved forward as a solo artist. He signed with 10x Entertainment (later acquired by SM Entertainment as Kustomade) and released his debut EP The Moment: A Minor in August 2021, which peaked at No. 7 on the Gaon Album Chart. His fanbase — called CUBS (Baby Bears) — stuck with him through everything.
Beyond music, Woojin landed the lead role in HBO Max's Brazilian fantasy series AlΓ©m do Guarda-Roupa (My Magic Closet), making him the first K-pop idol to headline an HBO Max series. He sang OSTs for popular K-dramas including Reborn Rich and King The Land. The guy has not been sitting still.
On January 20, 2025, Woojin enlisted in the military for mandatory service. His expected discharge date is July 19, 2026 — less than a month away from now.
π°π· The Korean Side
In Korea, conversations about Woojin have always been layered. There's genuine affection from fans who remember his vocal contributions to early Stray Kids, and there's also the complicated history of 2019. Korean fan communities have been relatively measured — acknowledging the upcoming discharge without over-hyping expectations about a potential Stray Kids reunion, which has never been officially discussed. Most Korean STAYs are focused on supporting both Woojin's solo return and the current eight members without conflating the two.
π The Global Side
International fans are very online about this. On Reddit and X, posts about Woojin's upcoming discharge have been circulating among both longtime STAYs who knew him from 2018 and newer fans who are learning his story for the first time. One widely shared X post read: "Woojin enlisting AND discharging in the same era as Stray Kids' absolute peak success? The timing is something."
The "stray kids group photo" Breakout keyword on Google Trends this week appears to be connected to fans searching for old nine-member photos in anticipation of his return.
π The Gap
The divide here is mostly about expectations. Korean fans tend to be more cautious — they know how delicate the situation is and don't want anyone (Woojin or the current members) put in an awkward position by online pressure. International fans are more openly emotional and nostalgic, which is understandable, but sometimes translates into unrealistic expectations about reunions that nobody has confirmed. Woojin is returning to civilian life and presumably resuming his solo career under Kustomade. That's what's actually happening. Whether anything beyond that occurs is entirely up to him and the parties involved.
FAQ
Will Woojin rejoin Stray Kids after military discharge?
There has been no official statement from Woojin, Stray Kids, JYP Entertainment, or Kustomade about any reunion. He is expected to resume his solo career upon discharge.
When does Woojin get discharged from the military?
His expected discharge date is July 19, 2026. He enlisted on January 20, 2025.
What happened with the sexual assault allegations against Woojin?
The allegations made in 2020 were determined to be fabricated. His agency took legal action, and the matter was resolved. Woojin addressed the experience publicly in the documentary Finger Killer.
• Full name: Kim Woo-jin (κΉμ°μ§)
• Born: April 8, 1997
• Former group: Stray Kids (Main Vocalist, 2018–2019)
• Current label: Kustomade (SM Entertainment sub-label)
• Fandom name: CUBS (Kubears)
• Military enlisted: January 20, 2025
• Expected discharge: July 19, 2026
• Socials: @woooojinn (X/Instagram)
π¬ Jamie's Take:
"I've been following Stray Kids since the survival show days, so Woojin being in the original nine is just... a fact of that era. It was messy when he left, and the 2020 situation made it messier. But the guy came out the other side, cleared his name, built a real solo career, and is about to finish his military service. Whatever comes next for him — whether that's a solo comeback, a drama, or just living his life — I think most people are just glad he's doing okay. That's the real story here. Not a reunion fantasy. Just a person making it through."
Related Posts:
→ More Stray Kids Coverage
→ K-Pop Explained
→ Evergreen K-Pop Guides
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