Korean boy group BTOB’s members Im Hyun-sik and Yook Sung-jae have officially enlisted for their mandatory military service in Korea today, May 11.
Sung-jae and Hyun-sik will be joining the military alongside their fellow Cube Entertainment labelmate, PENTAGON’s Jinho, plus EXO’s Suho and Block B’s U-Kwon. They will all temporarily leave their respective bands to fulfill their duties.
The remaining BTOB members, namely Peniel Shin and Jung Il-hoon, will be on hiatus since their co-members Lee Chang-sub and Lee Min-hyuk have already been enlisted.
Meanwhile, their group leader Seo Eun-kwang was discharged last April as he completed his mandatory service and is set to make a solo comeback with a new solo album to be released sometime in June.
Prior to Sung-jae’s enlistment, he had to leave SBS’s variety show “Master in the House”. He was also able to celebrate his 25th birthday last May 2 and shared with fans his photos the following day via Instagram, where he finally announced his decision to join the military.
“There will be people who are surprised at this sudden information, as well as people who are concerned, but because of how much love I’ve received until now from Melodies, I have the confidence that I will receive love and be happy and healthy no matter where I am! I’m not worried! I will be able to go with a comfortable mindset,” Sungjae said in his post on May 3.
Shortly after Sungjae’s announcement, Hyunsik wrote a letter posted once again on his Instagram page, where he bid farewell to his fans.
“I will return after growing into an even cooler man for Melody and BTOB and one that will make you more proud. I hope all of you won’t worry and please be healthy and happy while dreaming of the day we can be together,” he assured his fans. “Like how Melody is the tune that’s always in my head, I will always be inside of your hearts. Thank you and I love you.”
He also showed a selfie via his Instagram Stories, saying, “I love you, Melody” with blue heart emojis.
Im Hyunsik. Image: @imhyunsik/Instagram
BTOB fans called “Melodies” charted in Twitter trends today, as they have been sharing series of photos and videos of the BTOB members. The boys turned emotional sending off their brothers Hyun-sik and Sung-jae.
ㅠㅡㅠ… pic.twitter.com/EjN2Ker52x
— 성재육쁨 (@stella_6_) May 11, 2020
I forgot Btob now live separately so i think they promised to meet at training camp and spend some times there before send off Sungjae and Hyunsik
Arrival order: Eunkwang – Hyunsik – Ilhoon Peniel – Sungjae pic.twitter.com/cxEpzfpEG3
— 🌌💙BornAsBie💙🌌 (@bielovescube_) May 11, 2020
eunkwang, peniel & btob’s manager sending off sungjae and hyunsik…. my heart hurts 💔 pic.twitter.com/tozSa1FmqC
— 𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚢. 𝚝𝚒𝚗ㅣ𝟾 𝚈𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚂 𝚆𝙸𝚃𝙷 𝙱𝚃𝙾𝙱 (@btobxmelody_) May 11, 2020
The K-pop idols will undergo basic military training for four weeks, Soompi reported, before serving as active-duty soldiers. JB
RELATED STORIES:
K-Pop company is on the search for new idols, opens online audition for everyone
K-pop girl group to debut with Indonesian member
BIGBANG’s 2nd documentary featuring Taeyang to hit YouTube next week