Ten drafts. Ten crumpled pages. One heart-wrenching goodbye. 1Lee Jun Young has personally announced his plans to enlist in the military. 1On June 14, Lee Jun Young took to Instagram to post a handwritten letter announcing that he would be enlisting on July 21.
The actor-singer, who has become one of Korea’s most beloved leading men through hits like When Life Gives You Tangerines, Weak Hero Class, and D.P, chose to tell fans himself rather than let the news break through headlines — and the raw.
vulnerability of his letter has fans around the world reaching for tissues.
Table of Contents
The Handwritten Letter — 10 Drafts of Pure Heart
1 After noting in his letter that he was already on his 10th draft, Lee Jun Young also shared a photo of the crumpled-up drafts that he had discarded.
The image of nine crumpled paper balls beside the final letter became instantly iconic — a visual metaphor for how difficult it was for him to find the right words.1 After spending months agonizing over how to start this letter, he finally ended up personally writing these words. “This is already my 10th draft. Hahaha!” 1 He wrote, “Right around this time, you’ve probably finished watching Episode 6 of ‘Reborn Rookie’ and are getting ready for bed, right? Thank you for tuning in today as well.”
He continued, “Rather than announcing the news through an article, I thought it would be better for me to tell you personally, which is why I’m writing this letter.” 6 He then shared the news directly, saying, “I never thought I’d be the one saying this, but yes, I will enlist on July 21st.” Lee Jun Young also shared how he felt, saying that before knowing the exact date, he thought it was “no big deal,” but once the date was set, he started thinking about it more seriously. 2 He confidently stated, “I will return in good health and as myself.”
Lee Jun Young Enlistment Details at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Name | Lee Jun Young (이준영) |
| Enlistment Date | July 21, 2026 (Tuesday) |
| Type | Active military service |
| Duration | ~18–21 months |
| Expected Discharge | Early 2028 (estimated) |
| Agency | Billions |
| Announced | June 14, 2026 (handwritten Instagram letter) |
| Age at Enlistment | 29 |
| Current Drama | “Reborn Rookie” (airing) |
| Send-off Event | ❌ None — agency requests fans not visit |
2 Billions, the agency, officially stated on the 15th that “Lee Jun-young is scheduled to enter the military training center on July 21, 2026, complete basic military training, and faithfully fulfill his national defense obligations.” 2 The agency further stated, “Since the enrollment date for the Military Training Center is a gathering attended by many soldiers and their families, the location and time of enrollment will be kept confidential. We kindly ask for your broad understanding that no separate official events will be held to prevent safety accidents caused by on-site congestion.”
Why This Enlistment Hits So Hard — Peak Career Timing
3 The announcement comes at a creative high point for Lee. He is currently starring in the hit JTBC weekend drama, “The New Employee, Chairman Kang,” which began with a modest 3.7 percent viewership rating but has steadily broken its own audience records each week. 5 The 29-year-old actor is currently starring in the series “Reborn Rookie” and is known for his roles in “May I Help You?,” “The Impossible Heir,” “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” and “Weak Hero Class 2.”
| Why the Timing Is Painful | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reborn Rookie | Currently airing — fans watching him weekly |
| Chairman Kang | Breaking its own ratings records each week |
| Career peak | One of Korea’s most in-demand actors right now |
| Multiple pre-filmed projects | Prepared ahead knowing enlistment was coming |
| Singer retirement | Announced retirement from singing on May 3, 2026 |
4 Sharing his plans during a recent chat with Korean media, he said, “Since I’m set to enlist this year, I pre-filmed several projects in advance.” However, instead of focusing on having regrets about leaving during this peak in his career, he is thinking about giving himself a break from his demanding work: “I don’t feel regret.”
Who Is Lee Jun Young? — Full Profile
11 Lee Jun-young (born January 22, 1997), also known as Jun, is a South Korean singer, rapper and actor who debuted as a member of the boy band U-KISS in 2014. 11 Beyond his work in music and acting, he has participated in musical theatre, dance battles, variety programs, art exhibitions, and hosting activities, which has led some to describe him as a ‘hexagonal trendsetter’ for his versatility across multiple fields.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Lee Jun-young (이준영) |
| Stage Name | Jun |
| Birthday | January 22, 1997 |
| Age | 29 |
| Birthplace | Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea |
| Height | 185 cm (6’1″) |
| Education | Pai Chai University |
| Agency | Billions (co-founded) |
| Former Groups | U-KISS (2014–2021), UNB (2018–2019) |
| Acting Debut | 2017 (Avengers Social Club) |
| Idol Debut | June 2, 2014 (U-KISS) |
| Nickname | “Hexagonal Trendsetter” |
From K-Pop Idol to Leading Man — A Career Timeline
8 Known for his piercing gaze, physical precision, and quietly volatile screen presence, Lee Jun-young is one of South Korea’s most compelling idol-to-actor success stories. Frequently praised for his sharp facial features, athletic build, and intense charisma, his appeal lies in restraint rather than excess.
| Year | Milestone | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Debuted in U-KISS | Joined as rapper, vocalist, and maknae |
| 2017 | Won The Unit survival show (1st place) | Earned spot in project group UNB |
| 2017 | Acting debut — Avengers Social Club | First drama role on tvN |
| 2018 | MBC Best New Actor Award | Goodbye to Goodbye |
| 2019 | Solo debut — “Gallery” single album | Launched solo music career |
| 2019 | Class of Lies | First lead-adjacent drama role |
| 2021 | Left U-KISS + co-founded J-Flex | Career pivot to full-time acting |
| 2021 | D.P Season 1 | Netflix breakthrough — critical acclaim |
| 2021 | Let Me Be Your Knight | Romantic lead |
| 2022 | Love and Leashes | Netflix film — international attention |
| 2022 | Imitation | Played fictional idol Kwon Ryuk (SHAX) |
| 2023 | Weak Hero Class 2 | Fan-favorite intense role |
| 2024 | The Impossible Heir | Netflix series |
| 2025 | When Life Gives You Tangerines | Career-defining period drama |
| 2025 | Badland Hunters | Action film with Don Lee |
| 2026 | Reborn Rookie + Chairman Kang | Peak career — multiple hit dramas simultaneously |
| 2026 | Announced singing retirement + military enlistment | Enlisting July 21 |
The Singing Retirement
15 On May 3, 2026, he announced his retirement as a singer. This means his military enlistment also marks a permanent farewell to his music career. When Lee Jun Young returns from service, he returns solely as an actor — a bittersweet evolution for fans who first knew him as U-KISS’s charismatic maknae.
The U-KISS Connection — Full Circle With Eli
In a remarkable coincidence, Lee Jun Young’s enlistment announcement came just three days after his former U-KISS groupmate Eli announced his remarriage on June 11. The two represent different but equally meaningful chapters in U-KISS’s legacy — Eli finding personal happiness, and Lee Jun Young closing his idol chapter while heading to serve.
He is best known as a member of U-KISS and project group UNB, before expanding his solo career as an actor. 10 In 2017, he entered the singing survival show “The Unit” and ended up in 1st place, earning a spot in the show’s resulting project group. He re-debuted in April 2018 as UNB’s main vocalist, rapper, lead dancer and center.
His Award-Winning Acting Career
8 Korean critics often highlight his capacity to project inner turmoil without relying on overt dramatics.
| Drama / Film | Year | Role | Platform | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avengers Social Club | 2017 | Supporting | tvN | Acting debut |
| Goodbye to Goodbye | 2018 | Lead | MBC | Best New Actor — MBC Drama Awards + Korea Culture Awards |
| Class of Lies | 2019 | Lead | OCN | Breakthrough role |
| Please Don’t Date Him | 2020 | Lead | MBC | Romantic lead debut |
| D.P | 2021 | Supporting | Netflix | Critical acclaim — international audience |
| Let Me Be Your Knight | 2021 | Lead | SBS | Romantic fantasy role |
| Imitation | 2021 | Lead | KBS | Played fictional idol SHAX’s Kwon Ryuk |
| Love and Leashes | 2022 | Lead | Netflix | Film debut — viral international hit |
| Weak Hero Class 2 | 2023 | Lead | Wavve | Intense action drama |
| The Impossible Heir | 2024 | Lead | Netflix | Chaebol thriller |
| When Life Gives You Tangerines | 2025 | Lead | JTBC | Period drama — career highlight |
| Badland Hunters | 2025 | Supporting | Netflix | Action film with Don Lee |
| Reborn Rookie | 2026 | Lead | Currently airing | Final drama before enlistment |
| The New Employee, Chairman Kang | 2026 | Lead | JTBC | Breaking ratings records weekly |
15 He won best new actor in both the 26th Korea Culture & Entertainment Awards and MBC Drama Awards in 2018.
Pre-Filmed Projects — What Fans Can Watch While He’s Away
Lee Jun Young anticipated his enlistment and pre-filmed multiple projects to ensure fans have plenty of content during his service period.
| Project | Type | Status | When to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reborn Rookie | Drama | Currently airing | Episodes continue through summer 2026 |
| The New Employee, Chairman Kang | Drama (JTBC) | Currently airing | Breaking records weekly |
| Pre-filmed projects (TBA) | Multiple | Post-production | During military service period |
This thoughtful preparation means that even though Lee Jun Young will be serving, his screen presence won’t disappear. Fans will have new content to enjoy throughout his absence — a gift from an actor who clearly cares deeply about the people who support him.
The Agency — Billions
10 In 2021, his contract ended and he decided not to renew it, officially leaving U-KISS. In early 2022, he co-established a new agency, J-FLEX Entertainment, to pursue his activities as an actor.
The agency later evolved — J-Flex merged with Blade Entertainment in 2023, and Lee Jun Young is now under Billions, the agency he co-founded. The fact that he co-runs his own management company makes his career decisions entirely self-directed — including the timing and manner of his enlistment announcement.
When Will He Return?
3 Conscription is mandatory for nearly all able-bodied Korean men, who must serve roughly 18 to 21 months, depending on the branch of the armed forces.
| Enlistment | July 21, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Minimum Service | ~18 months |
| Maximum Service | ~21 months |
| Estimated Discharge | January – April 2028 |
| Return to Acting | Late 2028 (post-recovery period) |
Based on standard Korean military service timelines, fans can expect Lee Jun Young to complete his service by early 2028. Given his pre-filmed projects and the strong momentum of his career, his return to the entertainment industry should be highly anticipated.
A Message That Moved Korea
What makes Lee Jun Young’s announcement so special isn’t just the content — it’s the delivery. In an era of polished agency press releases and carefully crafted statements, he chose to hand-write ten drafts of a letter, crumple nine of them, photograph the evidence of his struggle, and post it all for fans to see.
That vulnerability — showing the crumpled papers, admitting he spent months agonizing, referencing the exact episode fans would be watching that night — transforms a standard military announcement into one of the most emotionally resonant idol-to-military transitions in recent memory.5 Lee admitted that writing the letter was not easy, saying he spent months thinking about how to share the news with fans.
For a complete overview of Lee Jun Young’s career, discography, and filmography, visit his official Wikipedia page.
How Fans Can Support Lee Jun Young
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| ✅ Watch Reborn Rookie and Chairman Kang — support his airing dramas | ❌ Visit the enlistment site (agency explicitly requested this) |
| ✅ Send warm messages through official fan channels | ❌ Pressure for a return timeline |
| ✅ Stream his pre-filmed projects when they release | ❌ Share private enlistment location details |
| ✅ Revisit his filmography — introduce new fans | ❌ Forget about him — he’ll be back! |
| ✅ Wait patiently for his healthy return | ❌ Make the moment sadder than it needs to be |
As he wrote himself: “I will return in good health and as myself.” Hold onto those words. He’s not gone — he’s just serving, and the screen will be waiting when he gets back. 🕊️💙
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FAQs
Q: When is Lee Jun Young enlisting in the military?
1 On June 14, Lee Jun Young took to Instagram to post a handwritten letter announcing that he would be enlisting on July 21. 2 Billions, the agency, confirmed that he is scheduled to enter the military training center on July 21, 2026, complete basic military training, and faithfully fulfill his national defense obligations. The agency asked fans not to visit the enlistment site.
Q: What dramas is Lee Jun Young in before his military enlistment?
5 The 29-year-old actor is currently starring in the series “Reborn Rookie” and is known for his roles in “May I Help You?,” “The Impossible Heir,” “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” and “Weak Hero Class 2.” 3 He is also currently starring in the hit JTBC weekend drama, “The New Employee, Chairman Kang,” which has steadily broken its own audience records each week. He pre-filmed multiple projects to ensure fans have content during his service.
