It may be a while before WINNER takes the stage as a complete group again as its second member Seunghoon announced his upcoming military enlistment on April 16.
According to Seunghoon's post on WINNER's fan cafe, he will report to the Nonsan Training Center on April 16 to begin his mandatory enlistment.
"I am enlisting as the second member following Jinwoo. I will be joining the military next. I hope everyone can understand with your hearts the fact that I wasn't able to tell you earlier, and I will do my best to stay healthy and come back safely," he said as he bid INNER CIRCLE, WINNER's official fandom goodbye.
Seunghoon did not elaborate on what his designation will be after completing four weeks of mandatory military training. Born in 1992, Seunghoon is one of the eldest members of the group at 29 years Korean age.
Seunghoon's news comes as a shock since it has only been a week after the release of WINNER's latest album, Remember, and two weeks after the enlistment of Jin Woo last April 2.
Jinwoo, who was sent off by his fans to the training center, bid an emotional goodbye to supporters and promised to do his best to fulfill his duties in the military.
"Thank you for coming such a long distance during these times. I'll return after safely receiving training well. Furthermore, thank you to INNER CIRCLE who have always supported me by my side. Please look after my dongsaengs (younger brothers) Lee Seung Hoon, Song Mino, and Kang Seung Yoon. Thank you," he said.
After completing four weeks of training at the Nonsan Training Center, Jinwoo will be deployed as a public service worker. Jinwoo was born in 1991 and was the first member of WINNER to enlist.
With two members remaining, it was reported that WINNER will remain on temporary hiatus as a group but Song Mino and Seungyoon will continue promoting as solo artists for the meantime.
It was initially reported that three members of WINNER, namely Seunghoon, Seungyoon, and Mino will promote the album Remember after Jinwoo enlists in the military.
"We cannot come up with the full member lineup for this album, but we still prepared a range of activities for INNER CIRCLE," Seungyoon said before the release of their latest comeback. However, Seunghoon's news may disrupt original plans to promote.
Remember, the title track and album title was written and composed by Song Mino to encourage fans to remember WINNER during their hiatus. Dduk, a song written by Jon Woo also talks about separation.
