Kwak Dong-yeon bids farewell to fans with buzz cut ahead of enlistment

Actor Kwak Dong-yeon has shared a final farewell with fans, sporting a buzz cut ahead of his enlistment as an active-duty soldier. Having consistently connected with the public through his various works, he will now take a temporary hiatus from acting to fulfill his national defense duties.

On the 25th, Kwak posted several photos on his SNS with the message, “I’ll be back. I hope everyone stays healthy and happy.”

The photos capture Kwak with his hair cut short in preparation for enlistment. Having traded his previous bleached hair for a short, black-dyed style, he was seen spending his remaining time before enlistment relatively leisurely, including riding a motorcycle. His new hairstyle clearly signals his upcoming transition into military service.

His direct farewell to fans also drew attention. Rather than a grand speech or a lengthy message, he chose the simple and calm expression “I’ll be back,” naturally conveying his mindset ahead of his service.

Kwak enlists as an active-duty soldier today. He is scheduled to enter the Army Training Center quietly without a separate official ceremony, undergo basic military training, and then continue his service after being assigned to his unit.

He previously revealed that he had been mentally preparing for enlistment, noting that it was a moment that would inevitably arrive. Given his composed attitude—viewing it as a natural duty as a citizen of the Republic of Korea—the atmosphere surrounding his enlistment remains relatively calm.

The gap in his acting career due to enlistment is expected to be significantly minimized. Kwak recently met viewers through a special appearance as the Crown Prince in the Netflix series "The East Palace." Since there are already completed works and content ready for release, he is expected to remain visible on screen even during his military service.

Kwak debuted in 2012 with the KBS2 drama "My Husband Got a Family." Since then, he has built a strong presence by portraying unique characters in works such as "Love in the Moonlight," "Vincenzo," and "Queen of Tears." He is noted for his wide acting spectrum, successfully playing both lead and supporting roles across various genres.

Recently, he expanded his career into variety shows by appearing on the tvN program "The Village Barber." Having broadened his reach through dramas, films, and various entertainment content, he now faces a new turning point with his enlistment.

For an actor, military service is both a hiatus in professional activities and a new phase of personal experience. While Kwak will step away from the camera for a time to serve as a soldier, he is expected to maintain his connection with the public through his established filmography and upcoming completed projects.

Attention is now focused on the day Kwak, who bid farewell to fans with a simple "I'll be back," completes his service and returns to film sets with a more mature presence.