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Jung Kook Pens Open Letter to ARMY Announcing Military Enlistment: ‘I’ll Miss You Deeply’

"ARMY's laughter, support, and love led me to this point," he wrote, revealing that he will begin his military service in December.

Jung Kook at the Jung Kook surprise concert at TSX Stage in Times Square on November 9, 2023 in New York, NY.

Jung Kook at the Jung Kook surprise concert at TSX Stage in Times Square on November 9, 2023 in New York, NY.

Daniel Zuchnik for Billboard

Jung Kook is preparing to enlist in the South Korean military, and took to Weverse on Wednesday (Nov. 22) to send a sweet message to the ARMY.

“In December, I will start a new journey I’m leaving you for a while to serve in the military,” he wrote . “As I share this news, I feel heavy on one hand, and on the other hand, I’m reminded of precious memories with ARMY, so my heart warms up. Every moment I’ve spent with you has been the brightest time of my life. ARMY’s laughter, support, and love led me to this point. Thank you so much for supporting my dream and walking with me silently.”


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He continued, “I’m careful to tell you to wait for me while I’m in the military. A year and a half is a long time, so I can’t say anything selfish. I promise that I’ll be back on stage with a more mature side where I always am I hope ARMY’s lives will always be full of laughter and happiness. I hope you fill in ARMY’s daily life healthily and beautifully. I’ll miss you deeply while waiting for the day we meet again and talk about something new. Don’t get sick and stay healthy. I love you.”

The K-pop supergroup’s label, Big Hit, announced earlier in the day that the final four singers awaiting the start of their enlistment — RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — have begun the process. “We would like to inform our fans that RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook have initiated the military enlistment process,” read the statement. “The artists are preparing to fulfill their military service duties. We will inform you of further updates in due course.”

South Korean requires an 18-month military service stint for all able-bodied men by the time they turn 28. BTS announced a pause in their group work in October 2022 to allow all the singers to enlist. BTS is expected to reconvene in 2025 when all have completed their duty to country.

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This article was first published by Billboard U.S.

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Tim Leiweke photographed on April 28, 2023 at Oak View Group in Los Angeles.
Joel Barhamand

Tim Leiweke photographed on April 28, 2023 at Oak View Group in Los Angeles.

Touring

Tim Leiweke to Step Down as OVG’s CEO After Being Criminally Indicted for Bid-Rigging

The government accuses Leiweke of orchestrating a "conspiracy to rig the bidding process" to win a contract to build and operate the Moody Center in Austin.

Tim Leiweke, one of the most accomplished CEOs in the live entertainment and facilities business, announced today that he is stepping down as CEO of Oak View Group (OVG) after being indicted by the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division for bid-rigging related to the company’s 2017 contract to build the Moody Center Arena in Austin.

On Wednesday (July 9), a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas returned an indictment against Leiweke, alleging he orchestrated a “conspiracy to rig the bidding process for an arena at a public university in Austin, Texas.” Authorities say Leiweke conspired with the chief executive of Legends Hospitality to rig the bidding for the construction and management of Austin’s $338 million, 19,000-seat Moody Center.

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