21-Year-Old Idol’s Sudden Enlistment Announcement Sparks Anger And Disappointment

The announcement was made the same day he enlisted.
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Koreaboo

Recently, ATBO‘s Seunghwan was announced to be enlisting.

ATBO_Jeong_Seunghwan_The_Beginning_-_Gaehwa_concept_photo_2
ATBO’s Seunghwan | IST Entertainment

On October 20, KST, IST Entertainment announced that the idol would begin his mandatory enlistment on the same day. The statement said that the idol had requested the later notice to enlist quietly, and apologized for the sudden announcement.

Hello, this is IST Entertainment.
First of all, we would like to thank all the fans who support ATBO sincerely.

ATBO member Jeong Seunghwan has entered the Nonsan Army Training Center today (October 20) to fulfill his mandatory military service.

In following with his personal wish to enlist quietly, he didn’t let fans know about his enlistment.
We ask for your kind understanding regarding this matter.

Jeong Seunghwan carries the love of his fans deeply in his heart and plans to complete his service faithfully, returning as a more mature person.
We kindly ask for your warm support and encouragement so that he can complete his military duties in good health.

Thank you.

— IST Entertainment

Seunghwan himself also shared a post on Instagram, showing his shaved head and leaving a letter for fans, thanking them for their support and saying that the decision was made recently.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 정승환 (@winhwanii)

Hello, this is Jeong Seunghwan.

First of all, I’m sure many of you were surprised by the sudden news of my enlistment.
I truly apologize for having to share this news so abruptly with those who have been waiting for my activities.

To be honest, this was a recent decision for me as well, so it still doesn’t feel real.
However, after much thought and reflection, I felt that completing my military service — which is an important duty in life — sooner rather than later would allow me to return to you and continue my activities more often and for a longer time.
That’s why I gathered my courage and made the decision to enlist.

Even though I will now be serving as a soldier, as I’ve always said, I have absolutely no intention of giving up on art.
I will definitely come back.
I’m not sure in what form or appearance that will be, but what matters is that I’m dreaming of the day I can stand in front of all of you again.
That’s a promise from the heart.

As I write this letter before enlisting, I can’t help but think of all the fans who have supported and loved me.
It makes me realize once again just how precious and grateful the past moments have been.

Although this time apart may feel long, if you continue to support me and look forward to my growth and return, I’ll make sure to repay you with my best self after completing my service.

Please stay healthy and happy always.
I’ll serve diligently and come back safely.

Thank you.
October 19, 2025
Jeong Seunghwan

— Letter

All Korean men are required to enlist in the military by a certain age, generally believed to be around 28 or 29. However, Seunghwan is only 21, meaning he would have several years before he would have to enlist.

Many fans pointed to the group’s inactivity as a reason for his decision, criticizing the company for its management of the group.

 

ATBO debuted in July 2022 following the survival show The Origin – A, B, or What? with “Monochrome (Color).” The group’s most recent release as ATBO was in November 2023, while the group collaborated with JUSTB to form The CrewOne, which competed in the program Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace in September 2024.

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