Actor Rowoon officially begins his mandatory military service today (October 27).
Rowoon entered a military training camp earlier this morning, where he will complete basic training before serving as an active-duty soldier in the Korean Army.
Ahead of enlistment, Rowoon shared a photo of his freshly shaved head on social media, writing simply, “It feels refreshing. I’ll be back.” His honest, grounded message touched fans who have followed his career since his SF9 days.
The actor’s enlistment had been postponed earlier this year after receiving a reexamination order during his physical screening. Following a reassessment in August, Rowoon was confirmed for active-duty service.
In a recent interview, Rowoon spoke candidly about his feelings before enlistment:
“Since my enlistment was delayed once, I’ve already met all my friends and family and finished my work commitments. After I return, I want to start working right away,” he said. “I’m even thinking about my discharge date already.”
He added playfully, “You know how military photos always go around? I didn’t want to look too relaxed in those, so I even lost a bit of weight before going in.”
Looking ahead to his post-service career, Rowoon shared his ambitions:
“I want to do romantic comedies, movies—everything. I don’t plan to rest. I even want to wear a school uniform again in a drama,” he said with a smile. “I’ll come back as a more mature and improved version of myself.”
Rowoon debuted as a member of SF9 in 2016 before transitioning successfully into acting. He has since starred in hit dramas such as Extraordinary You, The King’s Affection, Destined With You, and the Disney+ series Turbid Stream (Takryu), earning acclaim as one of Korea’s most popular rising actors.
Rowoon is expected to complete his service and discharge in March 2027. Fans continue to send messages of support as he begins this new chapter of his journey.