SHINee Member Onew & 'Descendants Of The Sun' Co-Star Kim Min Seok Begin Military Enlistment
SHINee member Onew and Korean actor Kim Min Seok are leaving their celebrity status for the meantime as they both begin their military enlistment on Monday. Both Onew and Kim appeared in 2016 hit Korean drama Descendants Of The Sun alongside Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo.
Onew is the oldest member of SHINee hence, he is the first from the group to begin his military service. The band's agency, SM Entertainment, earlier announced that Onew will start his enlistment on December 10 but did not reveal the time and location where he will undergo training.
A few hours before he entered a military camp, Onew shared some photos and a video of him with a new haircut. He also posted a hand-written letter for his fans.
"I will be taking a break for a short while. I am always sorry, and you may feel disappointed, but please think of this short break as a preparatory period for me to show you an improved version of myself ... I will continue to sing, so please listen to my voice again if you happen to think of me," Onew wrote.
Prior to his enlistment, 28-year-old Onew released his first solo album, titled Voice, as a gift to his fans. "Blue," the title track of the album, has ranked on top of multiple music charts.
Onew debut as one of the lead vocalists of K-pop group SHINee in May 2008. Aside from singing, Onew appeared in several TV series including DOTS wherein he played the role of cardiothoracic resident Lee Chi Hoon.
As for Kim Min Seok, he will undergo military training at the Nonsan Training Center in Chungnam. The actor recently shared on Instagram a photo of him with his new haircut. He also received words of encouragement from his fellow K-drama stars and fans. His Doctors co-star Park Shin Hye also sent his warmest greeting to the actor.
Kim originally wants to become a singer. He auditioned for Superstar K 3, a survival show for aspiring singers. Unfortunately, he did not make it to the group of 11 contestants that competed in the show. Kim made his acting debut in tvN's musical series Shut Up Flower Boy Band.
The 28-year-old actor is best known for playing mischief teen-turned soldier in the hit K-drama Descendants of the Sun. The same year, he starred in SBS medical drama Doctors which also gave him his Best New Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards. Kim most recently appeared in romantic drama The Beauty Inside as one of the male versions of Seo Hyun Jin's character, Han Se Gye.
