South Korean actor and singer Lee Jun-young officially started his mandatory military service on July 21, 2026. The 29-year-old star, known for his role in the Netflix series Weak Hero Class 2, entered the Army training center to begin his active-duty service.
Lee Jun-young shared a final farewell with his supporters before his enlistment. His agency, Billions, confirmed that no official events were held at the training center to avoid crowding and ensure safety.
Lee Jun-young’s Handwritten Letter to Fans
The actor personally broke the news to his fans through a handwritten letter posted on his social media accounts back in June. He wanted to share the news directly rather than having fans find out through news articles.
In his letter, Lee Jun-young admitted that writing the message was not easy. He spent months thinking about how to tell his fans about his enlistment. “I agonized for months over where to begin this story, and finally decided to write it myself. I’m already on my 10th revision,” he shared.
Before receiving his official enlistment date, Lee Jun-young thought military service would not feel like a big deal. But once the date was confirmed, everything changed. “Now that I actually have the date, I find myself having a lot of thoughts for the first time in a while,” he wrote.
The actor promised to return healthy and stay true to himself. “Until the day I greet you again, I sincerely hope you all stay healthy and spend happy and meaningful times wherever you are. Thank you for always cherishing and supporting me,” he said in his letter.
On the morning of his enlistment, Lee Jun-young posted a photo of his shaved head on Instagram along with a short message. Through his agency, he left a playful farewell: “I will go and return in good health. See you in the winter of the year after next! Early Merry Christmas and Happy New Year x2”.
Fans Show Support for the Actor
Supporters flooded social media with encouraging messages for Lee Jun-young. Many expressed mixed emotions about his temporary departure from the entertainment industry.
One fan wrote, “It kinda hurts, but I hope you’ll have a great time… It’s something that you wanted to do, so I’ll support you and hope you’ll come back healthy, but I will miss you”.
Another supporter commented, “No matter the distance, we’ll continue to support you and look forward to seeing you again”.
A Look at Lee Jun-young’s Recent Projects
Lee Jun-young made sure fans have plenty of content to watch while he serves in the military. He pre-filmed several projects before his enlistment.
Weak Hero Class 2 remains one of his most talked-about performances. In the Netflix crime thriller series, he played Geum Seong-je, a cold-blooded and unpredictable lieutenant in the school gang called “The Union”. The series premiered on Netflix in April 2025.
He also appeared in the JTBC comedy series Reborn Rookie, where he took on a dual role. The show ended on a high note, breaking its own highest viewership ratings.
Other recent works include When Life Gives You Tangerines, where he played Park Yeong-beom alongside IU and Park Bo-gum. He also starred in Pump Up the Healthy Love and made a special appearance in The Queen Who Crowns.
At the 2025 Seoulcon Apan Star Awards, Lee Jun-young won the Excellence Award in Acting for a Mid-Length Drama for his performances in When Life Gives You Tangerines and 24-Hour Health Club.
What Fans Can Expect During His Military Service
Lee Jun-young has completed filming for several projects that will release during his military hiatus.
The tvN drama Four Hands is scheduled to premiere on August 29, 2026. Lee Jun-young plays the main character Choi Jeong-yo in this series.
Other completed projects include the Netflix series This Kind of Love and the film Handwritten, which will also be released while he serves.
His agency, Billions Entertainment, previously announced that his dramas Four Hands and Our Sticky Love, along with the film Sinner, will be released after his enlistment.
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From K-Pop Idol to Acclaimed Actor
Lee Jun-young first entered the entertainment industry in 2014 as a member of the K-pop boy band U-KISS, performing under the stage name “JUN”.
He began his acting career in 2017 with the drama Avengers Social Club. Since then, he has built an impressive filmography across various genres, including D.P., Mask Girl, Class of Lies, Imitation, and Badland Hunters.
In 2025, Lee Jun-young released his first solo album Last Dance, which he has described as his final album as a singer. He has decided to focus on acting going forward.
South Korean men typically serve about 18 to 21 months in the military, depending on their assigned branch. Lee Jun-young is expected to complete his service and be discharged around January 2028.
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