The leader of K-pop boy band EXO, Suho (real name Kim Jun-myeon) left a handwritten letter on 4 May in the fan app “Lysn” where he revealed his military enlistment date as being 14 May. He asked EXO-L (official name for the fandom) to stay healthy and said that he would miss his fans during his military service.
Representatives from the group's label - SM Entertainment - confirmed Suho's imminent enlistment and added that the time and location would not be disclosed.
Reportedly, Suho will enlist as a Public Service Officer, rather than in the active forces, due to his poor eyesight. That means he will serve longer - up to 21 months - than those EXO members, who already enlisted last year - namely Xiumin and D.O., who are expected to be out of uniform again by the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021 respectively.
Fans trended #junmyeon in twitter after the news broke.
Suho made the solo album “Self-Portrait” as a present to his fans before his enlistment. The singer wrote lyrics for the album and actively participated at every stage of its creation. Upon release, it entered the US World Albums chart in 13th place.