Group member Kim Dong-han of WEi will begin his military service after leaving his agency.
Kim Dong-han posted a long handwritten letter on his social media on the 25th announcing his enlistment.
First, Kim Dong-han said, "I am also feeling unsettled to deliver this news so suddenly," and opened by saying, "When I first joined WE Entertainment and spent time with the WEi members, I created so many stages and memories together with LU:AE."
He went on to say, "The moments I was active as WEi allowed me to learn, laugh and worry together with the members about many things I would never have experienced alone, and I think I became a slightly stronger person," and added, "The members who shared the stage aiming for the same goal, and the LU:AEs who loved that time, made WEi for me a time of tearfully happy moments."
Kim Dong-han said, "Now I will briefly finish my contract as an artist and step away for a while to fulfill my military service. You may feel regret and worry, but I hope you do not worry too much. During that time I will for the first time reflect on and take care of myself. And I will return stronger and as a better person," announcing his enlistment and sharing his thoughts.
Kim Dong-han said, "From JBJ to solo and then to WEi, thank you so much for being with me through the precious moments of my life. I will return healthy," expressing gratitude to the agency and fans he spent 12 years with.
Kim Dong-han gained recognition after appearing on cable channel Mnet's Produce 101 season 2 in 2017 and debuted with fellow contestants as JBJ. He re-debuted with WEi in October 2020 and also tried acting.
WE Entertainment previously said, "Our company and our artist Kim Dong-han and Yoo Yong-ha discussed future activities for a long time, and respecting each other's opinions, we mutually agreed to terminate the contract upon expiration of the exclusive contract period."
Below is Kim Dong-han's full statement.
Hello, this is Kim Dong-han.
I am also feeling unsettled to deliver this news so suddenly.
When I first joined WE Entertainment and spent time with the WEi members, I created so many stages and memories together with LU:AE.
The moments I was active as WEi allowed me to learn, laugh and worry together with the members about many things I would never have experienced alone, and I think I became a slightly stronger person.
The members who shared the stage aiming for the same goal, and the LU:AEs who loved that time, made WEi for me a time of tearfully happy moments.
Now I will briefly finish my contract as an artist and step away for a while to fulfill my military service.
You may feel regret and worry, but I hope you do not worry too much.
During that time I will for the first time reflect on and take care of myself. Then I will return stronger and as a better person.
From JBJ to solo and then to WEi, thank you so much for being with me through the precious moments of my life.
I will return healthy.
And I thank CEO Wi Myung-hee, who worked for me for 12 years, and the many staff members who supported me.
[Photo] OSEN DB, Kim Dong-han SNS.
[OSEN]