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Jaejoong of boy group JYJ and Sungmin of Super Junior were discharged from their nearly two years of mandatory military service Friday.
Hundreds of fans braved the cold weather of minus 10 C to congratulate the singers on their return.
More than 500 local and foreign fans gathered in front of Jaejoong's Army division, with some holding placards that read, "We've been waiting, Jaejoong" and "New start JJ."
This photo shows Jaejoong of boy group JYJ saluting fans and reporters after being discharged from his mandatory military service on Dec. 30, 2016. Photo: Yonhap
"I was able to complete my duties safely thanks to my comrades and people who have been cheering for me," said Jaejoong, who served in the 55th Army division situated in Yongin, south of Seoul.
Sungmin, who served in the 17th division in Incheon, west of Seoul, also thanked his fans.
The Super Junior member got married in 2014 and was enlisted four months later on March 31, the same day Jaejoong was enlisted.
All able-bodied South Korean men are subject to compulsory military service for about two years in a country that faces North Korea across a heavily fortified border.
The JYJ member is slated to hold a fan event Saturday.
This photo shows Super Junior's Sungmin saluting fans and reporters after being discharged from his mandatory military service on Dec. 30, 2016. Photo: Yonhap
tvxq changmin yunho suju eunhyuk donghae
Two years seemed like an eternity when they enlisted, but thankfully, these stars will be back again with us in a matter of months.
The first man out isKim Hyun Joongin February. The singer and actor enlisted on May 12, 2015, and served in the border patrol in the 30th division at Paju, Gyeonggi Province. His return is expected to attract media attention, ashis legal battle with his ex-girlfriendis still ongoing.
The next star to be discharged is TVXQ’s Yunho, who will return to life as a civilian in April. Yunho enlisted on July 21, 2015, andheserved in the military band andwasawarded status as a special class soldier. Anticipation is high for his post-enlistment activities, especially since the idol had activities right up untilhis enlistment date, with his web drama “I Order You” and TVXQ’s special album “RISE AS GOD.”
Super Junior’sEunhyukandDonghaewill also be making their return to the K-Pop scene three months after Yunho. Eunhyuk enlisted on October 13, 2015, and has also been serving in the military band. He will be discharged on July 12. Donghae, who enlisted two days after Eunhyuk as a conscripted policeman, will also be discharged two days after his fellow member.
The following month of August will see three more of the 2nd-generation idol group membersreturning to the stage. TVXQ’sChangminand Super Junior’sChoi Siwonenlisted together as conscripted policemen on November 19, 2015, and will be discharged on August 18. Changmin’s return willmark the comeback of TVXQ as a complete duo, while fans of Super Junior will have to wait a little longer for Ryeowook, who enlisted just last year, and Kyuhyun, who will be enlisting this year.
The third celebrity to be discharged in August is JYJ’sPark Yoochun, who is currently serving as a public service workerin a district office in Gangnam. Park Yoochun had beenaccused of sexual assault in June last year, but wasacquitted of the charges in July. Hisfellow member Kim Jaejoong wasdischarged just days ago on December 30, but the third of the trio, Junsu, will beenlisting on February 9.
Finally,Lee Seung Gi, who enlisted on February 1 last year, will bedischarged in October. The actor, who debuted as a singer, released a single titled “I’m Going To The Army” right before his enlistment. He is currently serving as aspecial forces soldier at the Special Warfare Command.
(Yonhap)
