Lee Know will be the first Stray Kids member with an official solo debut. Dispatch says the album could land in January, right before his military service starts.
Stray Kids' Lee Know is getting a solo album before he heads to the military, and the photos are reportedly already done.
Korean outlet Newsen first reported the news on Thursday, Nov. 12, Korea time. A JYP Entertainment representative then confirmed it to Dispatch, saying Lee Know is "preparing a solo album" with the goal of releasing it in "early 2027," Soompi reported.
Dispatch went further. It reported the album is expected in January, and that Lee Know already shot the album jacket and filmed part of the music video in October. He's now finishing up the release.
That makes Lee Know the first Stray Kids member to make an official solo debut, Soompi noted. The group debuted in March 2018, so STAYs (the fandom) have waited almost nine years for one of these.
The timing is not subtle. JYP announced on Nov. 5 that Lee Know will start his mandatory military service in the first quarter of 2027. A January album would land just weeks before that.
When is Lee Know's solo album coming out?
JYP's official answer is "early 2027." Dispatch's reporting points to January. No title, track list or exact date is out yet.
What we know so far:
Album: Lee Know's first solo album. JYP hasn't said if it's a single, mini album or full-length.
Jacket shoot: Done in October, per Dispatch.
Music video: Partly filmed in October, per Dispatch.
Release window: Early 2027, per JYP. January, per Dispatch.
JYP usually rolls out teaser photos and a track list a couple of weeks before a release. If January holds, expect those to start popping up around the holidays.
When does Lee Know enlist?
Sometime in the first quarter of 2027, which means January through March. JYP announced it on Nov. 5 in a notice posted to Stray Kids' official X account.
JYP hasn't shared an exact date, a training camp or plans for a send-off event. Agencies often keep those details quiet until close to the day.
Lee Know, whose real name is Lee Min-ho, turned 28 on Oct. 25. He's the group's main dancer, and he also sings and raps. Leader Bang Chan, the oldest member, holds Australian citizenship, which makes Lee Know the oldest member who has to serve, Koreaboo reported.
Back in August, Lee Know told reporters he sees national defense as "a natural duty." He said he'd "faithfully fulfill" it when called.
Has Lee Know released solo songs before?
Yes, just never a full solo debut. Stray Kids members have dropped solo and unit tracks for years, and Lee Know has a few:
"Limbo" (2022), a solo song on the SKZ-Replay collection
"Youth" (2024), a solo song he performed on tour before it landed on the group album Hop
"Love Me or Leave Me" (2024), a cover of the Day6 song for SKZ-Record
He's also teamed up with other members on songs like "Drive" with Bang Chan and "Cinema" with Seungmin.
The release-before-enlisting move has a track record in K-pop. BTS' Jin put out his solo single "The Astronaut" in October 2022, about six weeks before he enlisted that December. Fans tend to treat these as something to hold onto during the wait.
What's next for Stray Kids?
The group just wrapped three shows at Tokyo Dome, Nov. 6 to 8, on its RUN IT world tour. JYP hasn't announced the next leg.
Stray Kids' 10th mini album, THIS & THAT, came out in August. Khaleej Times reported it as the group's ninth straight No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
JYP also hasn't said whether Stray Kids will pause group activities while Lee Know serves. No other member has announced an enlistment date.
For now, STAYs get a solo album first. That's a better deal than most fandoms get before a military goodbye.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
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Hat Tips:
Soompi (Nov. 12, 2026), the solo album news, JYP's confirmation and the Dispatch details
Dispatch (Nov. 12, 2026), the January timing, jacket shoot and music video filming (via Soompi)
Newsen (Nov. 12, 2026), the first report of the solo album (via Soompi)
Khaleej Times (Aug. 2026), the THIS & THAT Billboard 200 run
Koreaboo (Nov. 2026), Lee Know as the oldest member required to serve
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