Lee Know Plans First Solo Album for Early 2027 Ahead of Military Service

Solo release targets the same quarter as enlistment

Lee Know is preparing his first solo album for early 2027, JYP Entertainment confirmed on November 12, 2026, placing a major career milestone in the same three months when the Stray Kids member is scheduled to begin mandatory military service. January is the expected release month, while the agency's stated target remains early 2027.

The project would make Lee Know the first member of the eight member group to release a formal solo album. Preparations are already advanced: album cover photography and at least part of the music video filming took place in October, and work is now in its final stages.

A JYP Entertainment representative confirmed the release target in a statement on November 12:

Lee Know is preparing a solo album with the goal of releasing it in early 2027.

The announcement follows JYP's November 5 notice that Lee Know is scheduled to fulfill his military obligation during the first quarter of 2027, meaning January through March. The agency said his service could affect some activities planned during that period, while promising content and individual appearances before he leaves.

Stray Kids will continue touring during his absence. Concert promoter Live Nation has confirmed that the remaining seven members will perform the North American and European legs of the RUN IT tour, which run from May 16 through July 31, 2027. For fans, the coming months bring two connected changes: a first album centered on Lee Know and a group concert schedule that will proceed without him on those legs.

What is ready for the album?

Lee Know completed the album jacket shoot, meaning the photographs used for its cover and packaging, in October. Initial details also placed part of the music video filming in that month. A later account described both the photography and video shoots as complete.

The album is now described as being in its final preparation stages. JYP has confirmed the project and its release window, while January remains the more specific expectation reported around the announcement.

The exact release date, album title, tracklist, musical style, collaborators and promotional schedule have not been announced. Those details will show how Lee Know intends to present himself across a full release, rather than through his contributions to Stray Kids songs and performances.

A first formal solo album for Stray Kids

Stray Kids members have previously released individual songs through formats including mixtapes. Lee Know's planned release takes that activity into a different format: a formal solo album, with its own collection of tracks and accompanying visual production.

Lee Know debuted with Stray Kids in March 2018, when the group entered the music scene with District 9. His first solo album would arrive nearly nine years later, following a career built primarily around the group's recordings, choreography and concerts.

Born Lee Min-ho on October 25, 1998, he worked as a dancer before joining JYP Entertainment in 2017 and previously performed as a backing dancer for BTS. He subsequently appeared on the Stray Kids television survival program and secured his place in the group after an initial elimination.

His dancing and stage presence have remained central to his role, alongside his singing. A solo album gives his voice more space across a complete project and places the performance choices around him, rather than within the distribution of parts among eight members.

Military service changes the immediate schedule

JYP's November 5 announcement put Lee Know first among Stray Kids members scheduled to begin military service. South Korea requires eligible men to fulfill a period of military duty, which can interrupt an artist's ability to record, promote releases and travel for concerts.

The agency said Lee Know could miss some schedules in the first quarter of 2027. His precise enlistment date, form of service and the particular activities affected were left for a separate announcement. An album targeted for January therefore sits within the same window as his planned entry into service, with the order and spacing of those events still to be detailed.

Lee Know addressed his obligation at a press conference for the group's album release in August. He described service as a responsibility he intended to carry out:

I believe fulfilling military service is a natural obligation.

He also explained how he would respond when called:

When I am called upon, I will faithfully carry out the duty given to me.

At the same August appearance, Lee Know spoke about the group's eventual reunion after its period of military absences:

What's certain is that we will come back together again.

How he plans to stay connected with fans

JYP said Lee Know would meet STAY, the name of Stray Kids' fandom, through various content releases and individual activities before enlistment. The solo album is the most substantial project announced within that period.

A personal event for fans is also reportedly planned before he begins service. JYP's broader commitment covers both content and individual activities, giving fans more than the album release to follow as his schedule changes.

The agency acknowledged that the military service announcement could surprise supporters. In its notice, JYP asked fans for understanding:

We ask STAY for your generous understanding, as this sudden announcement may have come as a surprise.

For Lee Know, the immediate task is to finish the album while preparing for an interruption to regular group work. For fans, the next practical information will be the album announcement and JYP's separate notice on service arrangements.

Stray Kids will tour with seven members

Live Nation's November 9 announcement confirmed Lee Know's absence from the North American and European RUN IT concerts because he will begin military service before those dates. Bang Chan, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N will perform those legs.

The promoter stated:

As previously announced, Lee Know will not participate in the North American and European legs of the tour as he will begin his mandatory military service ahead of those dates. While he fulfills his service, the remaining seven members will continue the tour, bringing the full-scale Stray Kids live experience to fans around the world.

The North American schedule contains 14 concerts, beginning at Seattle's Lumen Field on May 16 and ending at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on June 29. Stops include Vancouver, Santa Clara, San Diego, Los Angeles, Arlington, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Chicago, Baltimore and Toronto.

Seven European and British concerts follow. Paris opens that leg on July 9, followed by London on July 13, Munich on July 17, Vienna on July 21, Barcelona on July 24, Arnhem on July 27 and Milan on July 31.

The wider Asian schedule includes Bangkok on January 16 and 17, Singapore on March 6 and 7, Yokohama on April 24 and 25, and Osaka on May 4 and 5. JYP's warning about possible absences during the first quarter matters particularly for the January and March dates, while the promoter has explicitly confirmed the lineup of seven for North America and Europe.

Lee Know is expected to rejoin the group after completing his service. The tour will therefore continue during his absence rather than wait for all eight members to be available.

Ticket deadlines and the months ahead

Ticket sales for the newly announced North American and European concerts begin in November 2026. The STAY Membership Presale opens on November 18 at 11 a.m. local time, followed by a separate Artist Presale at 3 p.m. local time. General sales begin November 19 at 3 p.m. local time.

The Artist Presale requires advance registration by November 15 at noon Pacific time. That deadline corresponds to 3 p.m. Eastern time, 8 p.m. GMT and 9 p.m. Central European time. France and Italy use a separate registration page for the Paris and Milan concerts.

Live Nation's ticketing details confirm that the Artist Presale is free and open to everyone, with no STAY membership required. Fans can register for up to three cities in North America and up to three cities in Europe and the UK. France and Italy use co:brand registration. Purchases are limited to four tickets per show.

The STAY Membership Presale is restricted to existing STAY 6th Generation membership holders who also register on FANS by November 15 at noon Pacific time. Membership is currently full. Eligible fans use their 12-character membership number, beginning with "F", as their presale code.

Artist Presale access on Ticketmaster in North America, the UK and parts of Europe is tied to the fan's account, so no code is needed. Other ticketing sites may require a code, including Ticketmaster in France and Italy. Sale times are local to the venue.

The main dates linking Lee Know's release plans, service preparations and the tour are:

• October 2026: Album photography and at least some music video filming take place.
• November 5, 2026: JYP announces military service planned for the first quarter of 2027.
• November 9, 2026: North American and European tour dates are announced, with Lee Know absent from those legs.
• November 12, 2026: JYP confirms the solo album target of early 2027.
• November 18 and 19, 2026: Presales and general sales open for the newly announced North American and European concerts.
• January through March 2027: Lee Know is scheduled to begin military service; his album is expected early in the year.
• May 16 through July 31, 2027: The North American and European legs proceed with seven members.

A solo project after a major year for the group

Stray Kids enters this transition after another year of international chart and concert success. THIS & THAT, released in August 2026, became the group's ninth consecutive album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the main United States albums chart.

The run began with Oddinary in 2022. All nine of the group's Billboard 200 entries debuted at No. 1, and THIS & THAT remained on the chart for 12 consecutive weeks. Lee Know's album will arrive after years in which the group's releases have repeatedly opened at the top of that chart.

Stray Kids also appeared at the Governors Ball Music Festival and Rock in Rio during 2026. Its STRAYCITY events drew about 270,000 attendees across five shows in Bogota, Buenos Aires and Mexico City, according to JYP. That works out to an average of about 54,000 attendees per show.

The RUN IT tour included a Tokyo National Stadium concert at the venue also identified as MUFG Stadium. Stray Kids became the first overseas male act to hold a standalone concert there. Lee Know's solo debut now follows those large group stages with a release built around one member.

Management protests add pressure before the release

Some supporters have protested JYP's handling of Lee Know's career by sending funeral wreaths to the company's headquarters. Their reported demands include dissolving One Label, the division responsible for Stray Kids, and removing its head.

The protest places management decisions alongside the album and enlistment announcements as an issue for part of the fandom. JYP's statements about the coming months have focused on the solo release, content before service and changes to his participation in group activities.

The agency now has several schedules to communicate: an album launch, Lee Know's remaining appearances before enlistment and concerts continuing with seven members. Each affects a different decision for supporters, from following his solo work to buying tickets for a particular lineup.

Key Points

• JYP Entertainment confirmed Lee Know is preparing his first solo album for early 2027; January is the expected release month.
• He would become the first Stray Kids member to release a formal solo album, following earlier individual songs by members.
• Album photography and video production are advanced, with final preparations underway.
• Lee Know is scheduled to begin military service between January and March 2027.
• JYP plans content and individual activities connecting him with fans before enlistment.
• The remaining seven members will perform the North American and European RUN IT concerts from May 16 through July 31, 2027.
• Ticket presales for those concerts open November 18, 2026, followed by general sales on November 19.