Multi-talented South Korean actor and singer Lee Jun Young has officially begun his mandatory military service as an active-duty soldier in the Republic of Korea Army.
Entering the recruit training center on July 21, 2026, he will complete basic military training before continuing his active duties.
In accordance with the actor’s and agency’s wishes, the exact enlistment location and time were kept private, with no official public ceremonies or events hosted on the day of his entry.
Prior to his official induction, Lee Jun Young personally reached out to his fans across digital platforms, sharing final photos of himself shaving his head alongside affectionate pictures with staff and close industry colleagues, including Super Junior’s Kim Hee-chul and Pil-dok.
Direct Personal Statements and Handwritten Message to Fans
Before stepping away from his active career in the entertainment industry, Lee Jun Young personally addressed his dedicated supporters through a handwritten letter uploaded to his official social media account.
In the open letter, he reflected on the emotional reality of receiving his official enlistment notice, sharing candid details about his initial reaction and ongoing thoughts:
“Before I knew the enlistment date, I thought, ‘Is it a big deal? I’m just going,’ but once I actually received the date, I found myself having many thoughts after a long time.”
He went on to express his earnest care for his audience while reassuring them of his safe and healthy return:
“As I write each letter, my heart feels a little lighter. I will go and return safely and healthily, being true to myself.”
“I sincerely hope everyone stays healthy until the day I greet you again, and that you spend happy and meaningful time in your respective places.
Thank you for always caring for and supporting me.”
Through his management agency Billions, Lee Jun Young also left a cheerful farewell message aimed at reassuring his global supporters:
“I will return healthy. See you next winter! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year X2.”
Minimal Career Hiatus with Multiple Upcoming Releases
Having debuted in 2014 as a member of the K-pop group U-KISS (performing as JUN), Lee Jun Young successfully transitioned into acting, building an extensive filmography through acclaimed projects such as Avengers Social Club, D.P., Mask Girl, When Life Gives You Tangerines, and Weak Hero Class 2.
He recently gained further critical and commercial acclaim for his lead role in the JTBC drama Reborn Rookie (also known as Suddenly Intern), which concluded with high viewership ratings.
Despite his temporary physical absence while serving in the military, Lee Jun Young worked continuously prior to his enlistment to minimize any operational hiatus for his audience.
Fans will continue to see him across various media platforms through a series of completed works scheduled for release during his service period:
- “Four Hands, Two Sonatas”: A newly completed drama series for tvN.
- “Love Cloud”: An upcoming television drama project scheduled for an August release.
- “Love Stuck”: An upcoming original project produced for Netflix.
- “Jafil” (Working Title): A feature film project awaiting release.
With multiple projects set to drop sequentially over the coming months, Lee Jun Young’s strong screen presence will remain active throughout his time in active duty until his planned discharge.
