Cha Eun-woo Military Enlistment: Astro Star Begins Service January 28, 2025
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| Cha Eun-woo / Courtesy of Instagram |
In a heartfelt message to fans, South Korean artist Cha Eun-woo, actor and member of the successful boy band Astro, spoke about his upcoming compulsory military enlistment. The 27-year-old posted on Instagram said his real name is Lee Dong-min will enlist as an active duty soldier on January 28, as a musician in the military band until he expects to receive a discharge on January 27, 2027.
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📰 KBS NEWS Featuring Cha Eun-Woo
Actor Cha Eun-woo revealed his feelings ahead of his military enlistment.
Cha Eun-woo said through a fandom platform, " It doesn't feel real that I'm enlisting yet, but please don't forget me because my album, movie, and drama will all… pic.twitter.com/1jvVmcc3yg
Cha Eun-woo used a fan communication platform to reflect on the past few weeks and to express thanks for special moments with co-workers and fans. "I had fun meeting the people that I'm thankful for. I also miss Loha," he shared, referring to his devoted fans. He said it was strange that he would be leaving soon and that he had "still not been able to grasp that I'm enlisting." He mentioned that while he would be away from the entertainment world, he was not worried: "my album, movie and drama will all be released" while he was serving.
Cha Eun-woo's enlistment comes on the heels of an aggressive period of creative output that is aiming to keep the star in touch with fans during his military service. These projects include the recently announced Netflix original series "The Wonderfull" which is expected to come out next year, and the film "First Ride", which is nearing completion. In addition, fans can look forward to his upcoming solo album, which is set to be released in September, which continues to rebel against his music career with Astro.
Military service is a crucial cultural rite of passage for South Korean men, with most men serving around 18-21 months before they turn 28. For those in the entertainment industry, like Cha Eun-woo, military service represents both an interruption in their career and an opportunity for self-improvement. His assignment in the military band suggests he will continue to use his musical gifts during his time in the military. The organized release schedule of the "K Band," for example, shows the thoughtfulness of Korean entertainment companies when their artists will be conscripted; they want to keep them engaged with the global audience.