K-drama heartthrob Cha Eun-woo says ‘don’t forget me’ ahead of enlistment, leaves fans with songs, drama and film

Cha Eun-woo of K-pop group ASTRO is minimizing his time away from fans during military service by filling the pre-enlistment period with a packed schedule.

The singer-actor recently shared heartfelt messages through a fan communication platform, expressing gratitude and affection to his followers. “I’ve been doing well, meeting people I’m thankful for,” he wrote. “I miss Aroha (ASTRO’s fan club). You’ll probably miss me a lot too, right? It hasn’t fully hit me yet. But with the album, movie, and drama all coming out, don’t forget me,” he said.

Cha is set to enter an Army training center on July 28 and will serve as an active-duty soldier in the military band. Ahead of enlistment, he has shared updates including photos of his newly shaved head and glimpses of his routine, such as working out and attending schedules. True to his nickname “face genius,” his sharp, clean-cut appearance sparked buzz among fans.

His pre-enlistment activities reached a peak with solo fan meetings titled “The Royal” held in Seoul and Japan — a final chance to meet fans in person before enlistment.

Cha also spent time preparing for future album and video releases, ensuring fans would still have content during his absence. After successfully wrapping up ASTRO’s full-group activities, he is scheduled to release a new solo album in September. Known for participating in writing lyrics for all tracks on his first solo album, released in February 2024, Cha has consistently demonstrated sincerity as a musician — heightening anticipation for his post-enlistment release.

Beyond music, fans can also look forward to seeing him on screen. He stars in the upcoming Netflix series “The Wonderfuls,” a comic action series set in 1999 during the height of apocalyptic beliefs. Cha teams up with actors Park Eun-bin, Kim Hae-sook and Son Hyun-joo to showcase his maturing acting skills.

He also leads in his first feature film “First Ride,” which follows a group of lifelong friends on an unpredictable first overseas trip. Cha plays Yeon-min, an aspiring DJ hoping to perform at the “Tomorrow’s World Music Festival,” sharing the screen with Kang Ha-neul, Kim Young-kwang and Kang Young-seok in what is expected to be a display of close-knit chemistry.

With so many projects lined up for release, Cha is poised to make fans forget he’s even away. Having asked fans not to forget him, he is instead crafting an unforgettable military hiatus through constant visibility in music, drama, and film.

This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.