Korean actor and K-pop idol Ong Seong-wu, a former member of boy band Wanna One completed his military service on Oct. 16.
Ong Seong-wu enlisted on April 17 last year and served for 18 months. He was a woodwind player in the 6th Infantry Division band. He also served as an active duty soldier presenter in a web program produced by Korean Forces Network (KFN).
Ong Seong-wu upon his discharge from the Korean military (Fantagio)
Ong Seong-wu in a photo he uploaded on Instagram on April 14, 2023 before he enlisted in the military (Instagram)
“I felt respect for the officers and soldiers who dedicated themselves to the country, as well as the many seniors who have been discharged. It was a time when I encountered experiences and various emotions that I would not have been able to experience in my life. I gained strength thanks to WELO [official fan club name], my family, and my friends who waited for me,” he said about his military service, a mandatory duty for all Korean men.
Ong Seong-wu, 29, added, “I will finish my 20s with military service and start my 30s with the valuable experiences I have gained so far. I ask for your interest and support in the future.”
He made his debut as a K-pop idol in Wanna One. He starred in the dramas “Strong Girl Nam-soon,” “More Than Friends” and “At Eighteen,” and in the Netflix film “Seoul Vibe.”
On Oct. 17, Ong Seong-wu will hold a live broadcast to greet fans on his official YouTube channel at 6 p.m. KST.