T.O.P (real name Choi Seung-hyun), the main rapper and vocalist of the one of the most influential groups in K-Pop, BIGBANG, was discharged from military service on Saturday amid a lot of fanfare. VIPs (official name of the group's fandom) came to greet and support their idol who returned after successfully completing his 2-year mandatory service.
Dozens of VIPs gathered near the Yongsan Craft Museum in Seoul where the singer served as a public worker. T.O.P greeted them, shook their hands and thanked his fans for their continued support.
T.O.P is the first member of BIGBANG to be discharged from the military service, with the others - G-Dragon, Tayeang and Daesong - expected to be released later this year. Fans of the group rushed to social media to express their delight with the news and many started to count down the days till the group's return to the stage:
However, T.O.P's release from the military happened at uneasy times for the group as its label, YG Entertaiment, is mired in a major scandal in the K-Pop industry. The head of the company, Yang Hyun-suk, resigned from his post after the Burning Sun night club sex scandal, which also forced the retirement of the fifth member of BIGBANG, Seungri; drug scandal involving IKON leader, B.I, and allegations of corruption.