Rowoon bids fans farewell ahead of military enlistment

Rowoon meets fans at Kwangwoon University on Saturday ahead of enlistment. Courtesy of FNC Entertainment

Rowoon, the actor and former member of boy band SF9, met with fans in a heartfelt send-off event just before his military enlistment in July.

At the fan meeting Saturday at Kwangwoon University in Seoul, Rowoon promised to return safely and in good health, vowing to resume work immediately after completing his service.

Dressed in a white outfit, Rowoon opened the event titled “Before Blooming” with a passionate rendition of Jannabi’s song “GRIPPIN'THEGREEN.” He hosted the fan meeting with his signature charm and quick wit.

Fans from Korea, Japan, Russia and other countries packed the venue. During a segment called “Colorful Temperature,” Rowoon reflected on his recent work and discussed various characters he had portrayed. He engaged fans by asking which of his roles they liked most and shared behind-the-scenes stories.

In the “Blooming with ROming” segment — named after his fandom ROming — Rowoon created memorable moments, including a group sing-along of IU’s “Meaning of You (Feat. Kim Chang-wan),” which had been preannounced on his fan cafe.

He also proposed creating a “homework list” with fans to stay connected while apart. Prioritizing health, he encouraged fans to exercise 30 minutes a day. “Some people like me better when I’m slimmer. I’ve gained a bit of weight lately, so I plan to lose some before I go,” he said. “I also plan to study languages for a year and a half — so let’s read and study together.”

Suggesting fans make new friends, he added, “It’s not that I think you don’t have friends. But since we’re all gathered here through the shared bond of Rowoon, I hope you’ll greet each other, get close, enjoy good food and share experiences through my past works while I’m away.”

Rowoon performs at fan meeting at Kwangwoon University on Saturday. Korea Times photo by Yoo Soo-kyung

Another touching part of the event, “Warm Light,” featured Rowoon reading notes sent in by fans. He responded warmly and sang songs of his own selection, delivering comforting messages and sharing genuine moments that highlighted his deep appreciation for his supporters.

On his military service, Rowoon remained optimistic. “Time will fly. You’ll see me again through some projects I’ve already completed. I’m especially excited about (Disney+ series) ‘The Murky Stream’ — I gave it my all,” he said. “This will be a time to recharge. After I return, I don’t plan to rest at all.”

He shared some personal reflections as well. “While I’ve been resting lately, I realized just how much I love this work. Even moments of stress and anxiety have become something I embrace. I see the military as just a brief pause,” he said. “Worrying about what hasn’t happened only keeps us from enjoying today. So please pray and wait for me.”

“I’m curious about how cool I’ll be in my thirties,” he added with a laugh. “There’s a charm that comes with age and experience. I hope to bring only positive energy. I’ll keep the sad feelings to myself and reflect on them quietly.”

Rowoon debuted in 2016 with SF9 and transitioned into acting after leaving the group in 2023. His notable roles include appearances in “School 2017,” “Extraordinary You,” “She Would Never Know,” “The King’s Affection” and “Tomorrow.” He is set to return to screens later this year in the Disney+ series “The Murky Stream.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.