K-pop boy band EXO member Chen announced that he will be enlisting in the military on Oct. 26 through a letter he wrote to fans to say goodbye.
“These days, the temperature difference in the day is quite high, are you all well? The scorching hot weather has gone and the warm autumn days have already begun. I wrote these lines to send my goodbye and inform you that I will enlist on October 26,” Chen wrote in a handwritten letter posted on the Lysn app on Oct. 16, Osen reported.
He added, “When serving in the army, I will do my best to complete the duty in good physical and mental health in order to see you again with a more mature image. Therefore, I hope you will stay as beautiful and healthy as you are now!! I always feel thankful for you and I love you all so much.”
SM Entertainment confirmed that Chen will be starting his military service on Oct. 26 but said the time and location will not be disclosed.
Upon enlistment, Chen will undergo basic military training and will be serving as an active duty soldier in the army.
A day before his announcement, Chen released the Britpop song “Hello” on Oct. 15. Its music video has garnered 3.35 million views on YouTube as of writing.
Chen will be the fourth member of EXO to enlist in the military. Xiumin was the first member to enlist in May 2019 and he will be discharged on Dec. 6 this year. D.O. followed suit in July 2019 and Suho enlisted on May 14 this year.
Last January, Chen announced that he was getting married and that his girlfriend was pregnant. Last April 29, Chen’s wife gave birth to a baby girl. He is the first member of EXO to have his own family.