K-pop boy group Monsta X’s Shownu to join army next week

▲ This photo provided by Starship Entertainment shows Monsta X’s Shownu. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) — Shownu (real name Son Hyun-woo, 29), the eldest member of boy group MONSTA X, will be the first to join the military among its members.

Shownu will enter the training center on the 22nd and receive three weeks of basic military training before working as a social service agent, announced the act’s agency Starship Entertainment on Saturday.

Shownu had an ophthalmic surgery last July due to a retinal detachment, which led to his decision to serve in the military as an alternative, the agency explained.

In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the location and time of the enlistment will not be disclosed. There will not be a separate event on the day as well.

Shownu posted a message on the fan community, saying, "It feels like yesterday when I debuted, but it's time for me to go to the military."

"Thank you for letting me feel and experience a lot," he wrote. "I will repay our fans as much as I can, so I hope we can continue to have fun together."

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