DK (SEVENTEEN) Biography: Profile, Background, Net Worth 2025, Career, And Military

Profile:

Stage Name: DK (Dokyeom)

Birth Name: Lee Seokmin (이석민)

Birth Date: February 18, 1997

Birth Place: Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (born in Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea)

Nationality: South Korean

As a natural expression of his lively personality, DK's birth name, Seokmin, combines the Korean characters for "precious gemstone" (Seok) and "big" (Min), signifying a grand and valued presence. DK, who is well-known for his bright smile and endless energy, has been dubbed "Happy Virus" by bandmate Joshua and "soft-hearted" by Wonwoo. He is adored by SEVENTEEN's supporters, known as CARATs, for his positive outlook and capacity to inspire others. DK is a member of the renowned "97 Liner" group, a close-knit group of K-pop idols born in 1997, which also includes Mingyu and The8 of SEVENTEEN, Jungkook of BTS, BamBam and Yugyeom of GOT7, Jaehyun of NCT, and Cha Eunwoo of ASTRO. DK shares his birthday with bandmate Vernon.

Background:

DK was raised in Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, but was born on February 18, 1997, in Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea. He grew up with his parents and an older sister in a loving household. DK has said that his parents fully supported his desire to pursue a career in music, which was a major factor in his decision to join Pledis Entertainment as a trainee. However, little is known about his family because he prefers to keep it private. His desire to become a musician was cemented when he formed a band with classmates during his childhood due to his early love in music, especially rock.
In his contacts with bandmates and fans, DK's gregarious and selfless nature is evident. He has characterized himself as "loud but shy," acknowledging that he feels reserved among strangers despite his outgoing personality. On SEVENTEEN's variety show Going Seventeen, he has become a fan favorite due to his ability to make people smile in any situation and his playful friendship with bandmate Seungkwan. "Live and do what you want" is DK's credo, which captures his upbeat and ambitious outlook on life.

Education:

DK's academic path demonstrates his commitment to striking a balance between his education and his love of music. He received his degree from Seoul High School of Performing Arts (SOPA), one of South Korea's most prominent schools for developing artistic talent. He was able to polish his acting and vocal abilities during his time at SOPA, which equipped him for the demanding demands of a K-pop career. His training at Pledis Entertainment from 2012 to 2015 was a crucial time for his professional development, as he spent two years and seven months honing his singing, dancing, and stage appearance. However, additional information regarding his post-high school schooling is not well recorded

Career:

Early Career and SEVENTEEN Debut:

After attending his hometown's YP Music Academy, DK joined Pledis Entertainment in 2012, marking the beginning of his ascent to fame. Fans got a sneak peek at his personality and vocal prowess when he appeared on Seventeen TV, an internet reality show that featured Pledis' students. On May 26, 2015, DK made their debut with SEVENTEEN with their first extended play (EP), 17 Carat, following a grueling training regimen. The album was a huge hit, being the sole debut album on Billboard's "10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2015" list and the longest-charting K-pop album of 2015 in the US. Alongside Jeonghan, Joshua, Woozi, and Seungkwan, DK was a key vocalist in SEVENTEEN's Vocal Unit. The group's distinctive sound was largely shaped by DK's strong and adaptable voice.

Role in SEVENTEEN and BSS:

With members actively participating in songwriting, production, and choreography, SEVENTEEN—often abbreviated as SVT—is renowned for its self-producing philosophy. In albums such as Love & Letter (2016), Teen, Age (2017), An Ode (2019), FML (2023), Seventeenth Heaven (2023), and Happy Burstday (2025), the latter of which commemorated the group's tenth anniversary, DK's function as the lead vocalist has been crucial. Songs like "Adore U" and "Shining Diamond," which showcase his vocal prowess, help SEVENTEEN achieve worldwide success, including record-breaking sales and sold-out world tours.
Alongside Hoshi and Seungkwan, DK made his debut as the leader of SEVENTEEN's BSS (BooSeokSoon) subunit in 2018. Their first single, "Just Do It," peaked at number one on the charts and demonstrated DK's flexibility as a singer and leader. Fans responded favorably to BSS's lively and playful dynamic, and the sub-unit kept putting out hit songs, solidifying DK's position as a major force in the K-pop scene.

Musical Theater and Solo Ventures:

In 2019, DK branched out into musical theater, starring in the South Korean musical XCalibur as King Arthur. His performance demonstrated his command of the stage outside of K-pop and was praised for its emotional depth. As "Baby Goblin," he also competed in King of Masked Singer, making it to Round 3 and captivating viewers with his vocal range. DK has established himself as a versatile entertainer and significant personality by modeling for companies like S2ND (2023) and Swiss luxury fashion label Bally, as well as contributing to original soundtracks (OSTs).
In addition to his work with SEVENTEEN and BSS, DK has expanded his visibility in the fashion and beauty industries by working with businesses like Chitato and Some By Mi and by co-starring with Wonwoo on magazine covers like Japan's Men's Non-no (June 2023) as well. With more than 8.1 million followers, he uses Instagram as a platform to share both personal and professional situations, strengthening his connections with CARATs around the world.

2025 Net Worth:

DK's estimated net worth as of 2025 is between $2 million and $3 million USD, while other sources speculate that it may be higher because of undeclared assets such real estate or investments. The main sources of his fortune are SEVENTEEN's worldwide tours, music sales, and sponsorship deals. His profits have been greatly boosted by albums such as Face the Sun (which has sold over 2 million copies), Heng:garae, and FML (which is the best-selling K-pop album of 2023 with over 6.2 million copies). DK's financial success has also been strengthened by his solo endeavors, such as his part in XCalibur and brand endorsements. Though the exact amount is yet unknown, rumors of a 2022 building acquisition costing roughly 500 million KRW (about $410,000 USD) raised questions about his riches. As SEVENTEEN's global reputation grows and he takes on more solo endeavors, his net worth should increase.

Military Service:

Before turning 30, all physically fit men in South Korea must complete roughly 18 to 21 months of mandatory military duty. DK must enlist by February 18, 2027, his 30th birthday, since he was born on February 18, 1997. Although DK's official enrollment date has not yet been set as of June 2025, it is anticipated to take place by 2027. Due to a medical problem, SEVENTEEN's leader, S. Coups, was excused from service. Wonwoo started his alternate military service in April 2025 and is expected to return in January 2027. DK is probably going to have a similar schedule, and depending on his situation, he might serve as an active-duty soldier or in another role. Support for his future service has been voiced by fans, who hope he returns safely to continue helping SEVENTEEN.

Personal Traits and Fun Facts:

DK's public persona is characterized by his lively demeanor. He is credited with fostering a vibrant environment within SEVENTEEN and has been called a “cheerful virus” by Joshua and “soft-hearted” by Wonwoo. His lighthearted relationship with Seungkwan and his tight relationship with Jeonghan, with whom he frequently confides, emphasize his function as a mood-maker. DK's interests include mingling with his "97 Liner" buddies, as demonstrated by a 2024 dinner reunion with Jungkook and Mingyu, and watching finished K-dramas (he avoids incomplete series to binge-watch at home). Despite amusingly pointing out his "huge mouth" as a distinguishing characteristic, he is also well-known for his passion of smiling.
DK's Enneagram Type 7w6 highlights his energy and flexibility, while his MBTI type, INFP, depicts his kind but introspective personality. His free-spirited and charitable nature is consistent with his zodiac sign of Aquarius. He stands out among SEVENTEEN's varied lineup because of his ability to strike a balance between professionalism and a grounded appeal, which fans admire.