Rowoon begins military service, leaving behind a strong mark as actor
Actor Rowoon / Captured from his social media
Actor Rowoon began his mandatory military service Monday, entering an Army training center to start basic training before serving for 18 months as an active-duty soldier.
The former SF9 member posted a photo of his freshly cut hair on social media the day before his enlistment. “I feel refreshed. I’ll be back,” he wrote.
Rowoon had initially planned to enlist on July 21 but was reexamined after receiving a Level 7 classification during his physical assessment. Following an appeal and a second examination, he was deemed fit for active duty.
“To minimize congestion on the day of enlistment, there will be no official event," his agency, FNC Entertainment, said. "We ask for your warm support until Rowoon completes his service and returns.”
Rowoon debuted as a member of boy group SF9 in 2016 and began acting a year later with the KBS2 drama “School 2017.” He went on to build his career through roles in “She Would Never Know,” “The King’s Affection” and “The Matchmakers.” After leaving SF9 in 2023, he focused entirely on acting.
His most recent project was the Disney+ original series “The Murky Stream,” in which he portrayed Jang Si-yul, a man who has lost the will to live amid the chaos of Joseon era (1392-1910). Sporting a rugged beard and performing intense action scenes, Rowoon showed a striking transformation.
He once recalled that director Choo Chang-min told him, “I’m going to take away Rowoon’s biggest weapon — his good looks,” adding that the project allowed him to quench his thirst for acting and give his all without regret.
With “The Murky Stream” marking his last work before enlistment, Rowoon proved his growing range and emotional depth as an actor. Fans now await his return, hoping to see an even more mature version of the star when he completes his service.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.