'New Employee Chairman Kang' Lee Jun-young Says He Wondered “Where to Begin” as He Announces Military Enlistment

Singer and actor Lee Jun-young, 29, announced on the 14th through a handwritten letter posted to his own social media account that he will enlist in the military.

In the letter, Lee wrote that he had spent months thinking about how to begin. He said he kept wondering, “Where should I start this story?” and that the message he was sharing had already reached its 10th revision. Rather than allowing the news to reach people first through media reports, he explained that he felt it would be better to speak directly in his own words. “I did not think I would be delivering this kind of news with my own mouth,” he wrote, before adding plainly, “Yes! I will enlist on July 21.”

Lee also described how his feelings changed once the date became real. Until he learned the enlistment date, he said he had been living with the thought, “Is it really such a big deal? I will just go.” But after receiving the actual date, he found himself thinking deeply for the first time in a while. He said he had also spent a great deal of time considering how he should first share the news with the people he addresses as his “teachers.” As he wrote the message one character at a time, he added, he felt that his heart had become at least a little lighter.

Closing the letter, Lee promised to go and return in good health, and to do so in a way that felt true to himself. He wished everyone good health until the day he could greet them again, and said he sincerely hoped they would spend happy and meaningful time in their own places. He thanked people for always cherishing and supporting him, then ended on a playful note: “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year X 2.”

Lee Jun-young is currently leading JTBC’s Saturday-Sunday drama “New Employee Chairman Kang,” where he is actively appearing as the main character. The source line in the Korean headline also names Billions.