SHINee's Onew to release solo album before conscription

Onew, set to join the military on Dec. 10, will bid a temporarily farewell with his fans with his first solo album that will be released early December. Courtesy of SM Entertainment

By Jung Da-min

Onew, leader of K-pop boy band SHINee, will release his first solo album in early December.

The album will go on sale before his he begins mandatory military service on Dec. 10, his agency SM Entertainment said on Sunday.

All able-bodied Korean men must serve in the military for about two years to defend the country from a possible North Korean invasion.

Onew has expanded his career into acting, but the album will be his first solo effort since his debut in 2008.

In May, SHINee celebrated its 10th anniversary of its debut with its sixth full-length album “The Story of Light."

The band's hits include “Ring Ding Dong” (2009), “Lucifer” (2010) and “Sherlock” (2012).