Monsta X's Shownu starts military service

All five of his bandmates came to send him off to the basic training camp and posed for the camera together, as the leader saluted with his hair cut short. – Photo: Starship Entertainment

Shownu of Monsta X shared photographs and greetings for fans before officially beginning his military service on Thursday.

All five of his bandmates came to send him off to the basic training camp and posed for the camera together, as the leader saluted with his hair cut short.

“Until the day we meet again, I will stay healthy. I’ll be more mature and back in a cooler shape. Thank you!” he wrote on the band’s Twitter account along with the pictures.

He will be serving as a social service agent after the training, after having an operation for a detached retina in his left eye last year. He is the oldest member of the six-member band and the first to enlist.

Meanwhile, the band is releasing Kiss or Death on Monday, as part of a monthly project by K-pop entertainment platform Universe. The teaser trailer for the music video was uploaded on Wednesday and the full version will be unveiled exclusively on the platform’s application. – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network

Update: A previous version of this story mispelled Shownu's name as Seanwoo due to an error in the original wire piece. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.