Lee Dongheon of K-pop boy group VERIVERY officially started his mandatory military service on Monday, August 28. 

While the exact time and location of his enlistment were kept private, the group’s official social media accounts also shared photos of the group accompanying Dongheon in his enlistment. 

In the photos, Dongheon, who is now sporting a military buzz cut, is surrounded by his members. “As he receives a sendoff from his lovable younger members, [we] wait for Dongheon to return in good health and even greater than he is now,” the caption read.

Present are members Hoyoung, Gyehyeon, Yeonho, Yongseung, and Kangmin in his send-off. 

 

On August 23, the idol announced his enlistment date, saying that he’ll fulfill his military service as an active duty soldier. However, Jellyfish Entertainment has first confirmed in April that Dongheon will be enlisting before 2023 ends. 

As the leader and oldest member of the group, Dongheon is the first member of VERIVERY to enlist. 

VERRER’s well-wishes for Dongheon

Since Dongheon announced his enlistment plans, he’s been updating their fans about his preparation. 

First, he penned a letter to VERRERs, promising that he’ll return safely. 

 

“Although you can’t see me on stage for some time, in anticipation for a better Heoni, please wait for me. Just how you do now. Even in time and place where I’m not present, I hope our VERRERs are happy and do well,” he said. 

 

A day before his enlistment, Dongheon also held a livestream wherein he said goodbye to fans and showed his haircut. 

“Don’t worry. Nothing is different than what we have now, VERRERS. Other than the length of my hair, nothing else has changed. So don’t be too worried and don’t be too sad. Just stay how you are right now, okay?,” he said. 

 

In addition to that, videos of the idol in his military camp also circulated on social media, wherein he was seen talking to fans. 

“Don’t cry. I will cry too. I will come back healthy. Thank you for coming. But no, I told you not to come,” he was seen telling VERRERs.

 

In turn, fans took to social media to express their well-wishes for Dongheon as he begins his military service. 

VERIVERY debuted as a seven-member act in January 2019 with the EP Veri-Us. The group is known for songs “Tag Tag Tag,” “Trigger,” Super Special,” and “Thunder.”

In 2020, VERIVERY participated in Mnet’s reality television series Road to Kingdom, wherein they finished in fifth place. 

Featured image: VERIVERY members were present when leader Dongheon enlisted. Credit: Twitter/VERIVERY