Actor Rowoon, formerly a member of the K-pop group SF9, officially began his mandatory military service on Monday, entering an Army training center to commence his 18-month active-duty service as a soldier. The 27-year-old entertainer will complete basic training before being assigned to his permanent military posting.
On the eve of his enlistment, Rowoon shared a photograph on social media showing his newly cropped military haircut, writing "I feel refreshed. I'll be back" to his fans. His agency, FNC Entertainment, announced that there would be no official farewell event to prevent overcrowding at the enlistment site, requesting fans to "provide warm support until Rowoon completes his service and returns."
Rowoon's military enlistment had been postponed from his original July 21 date after he received a Level 7 classification during his initial physical examination. Following an appeal process and a second medical assessment, military officials determined he was physically qualified for active military duty, clearing the way for his service to begin.
The performer first gained recognition as a member of the nine-member boy group SF9, which debuted in 2016 under FNC Entertainment. Just one year after his music debut, Rowoon ventured into acting with a role in the KBS2 television drama "School 2017," marking the beginning of what would become a successful dual career in both music and acting.
Throughout his acting career, Rowoon built a strong reputation through memorable performances in several popular Korean dramas. His notable works include "She Would Never Know," where he played a younger office worker in a romantic storyline, "The King's Affection," a historical drama where he portrayed a royal guard, and "The Matchmakers," another period piece that showcased his versatility as an actor.
In 2023, Rowoon made the significant decision to leave SF9 to focus entirely on his acting career, transitioning from being a dual-threat entertainer to dedicating himself solely to dramatic roles. This career pivot allowed him to take on more challenging and diverse characters in television and film productions.
His most recent project before military service was the Disney original series "The Murky Stream," which demonstrated a remarkable transformation in his acting abilities. In this production, Rowoon portrayed Jang Si-yul, a man who has lost his will to live during the turbulent Joseon era (1392-1910). The role required him to sport a rugged beard and perform intense action sequences, showing a dramatic departure from his previous clean-cut image.
Reflecting on this transformative role, Rowoon recalled advice from director Choo Chang-min, who told him, "I'm going to take away Rowoon's biggest weapon – his good looks." The actor expressed that this challenging project allowed him to "quench his thirst for acting and give his all without regret," demonstrating his commitment to developing his craft beyond his visual appeal.
"The Murky Stream" serves as Rowoon's final work before beginning his military service, and the performance has been praised for showcasing his growing range and emotional depth as a serious actor. The series highlighted his ability to tackle complex characters and proved his evolution from a K-pop idol to a credible dramatic performer.
Fans and industry observers now eagerly await Rowoon's return from military service, hoping to witness an even more mature and experienced version of the actor when he resumes his entertainment career in approximately 18 months. His military service marks a significant milestone in his transition from idol to established actor, and many expect his experiences to further enhance his future performances.
