Cha Eun-woo Leaves, Jungkook Returns: 1997-Born Best Friends ‘Pass the Military Service Baton’
This year, many stars are temporarily leaving the entertainment industry to fulfill their military service obligations, while others who have completed their service are returning to meet the public. Among them, the 1997-born best friends in the entertainment industry are drawing attention as they pass the baton of military service.
Cha Eun-woo
First, Cha Eun-woo, known as the entertainment industry’s representative “face genius,” will begin his military service in the Army Military Band on July 28.
On that day, Cha Eun-woo will enter the Army Training Center for basic military training before officially serving in the military band to fulfill his national defense duties.
Cha Eun-woo’s side stated, “To prevent safety accidents due to congestion, Cha Eun-woo’s enlistment location and time will be kept private, and no separate events will be held. We ask for your generous support and warm encouragement for Cha Eun-woo, who will faithfully carry out his military duties and return in good health.”
BTS Jungkook
Ahead of Cha Eun-woo’s enlistment, his close friend, Jungkook, born in the same year, will be discharged in June. Jungkook enlisted alongside his bandmate Jimin in December 2023 and is currently serving as an active-duty soldier in the Army.
With his discharge scheduled for June 11, Jungkook, unlike his same-age peers, chose to enlist with his BTS members at a relatively early age for a celebrity. As a result, while Jungkook is set to complete his service this year, other 1997-born stars are preparing for enlistment.
Alongside Jungkook, BTS members RM, Jimin, and V are also set to be discharged around the same time, meaning all BTS members will return to civilian life this year. Naturally, attention is turning to the group’s full-group activities.
With Jungkook’s return and Cha Eun-woo’s enlistment, the activities of these 1997-born best friends will shift. However, Cha Eun-woo, who is currently filming a new project, will continue to meet the public through the screen even during his service.
Amid the bittersweet news of discharges and enlistments, anticipation is building for how returning stars will connect with the public through their upcoming projects.
