Lee Jun-young Says “Not Yet” to Enlistment Billboard Ahead of July 21 Training Center Entry

Actor Lee Jun-young, who is preparing for military enlistment, left a short and cheerful comment in response to fans’ billboard message of support. Seeing the phrase “Private Lee Jun-young” on the display, he replied, “Not yet,” showing his wit as his enlistment date approaches.

“Not yet” to the billboard’s “Private Lee Jun-young”

Lee Jun-young posted a short video to his Instagram Story on July 6. In the clip, the billboard read, “The country is looking for you. Private Lee Jun-young, I will return. Loyalty!” It was a message arranged to support him ahead of enlistment, but the title “Private Lee Jun-young” drew attention first.

Sharing the video, Lee Jun-young added the brief and firm caption, “Not yet.” With even a period at the end, the response carried the feeling of playfully pushing back, for a moment, against the reality of his approaching enlistment date. His deadpan line in response to the teasing support prepared by acquaintances also gave fans a laugh.

Entering a recruit training center on July 21

Lee Jun-young will enter a recruit training center on July 21 to fulfill his national defense duty. His agency said he will enter on the 21st and faithfully complete basic military training. The location and time of his entry will not be disclosed.

He first announced the news to fans on June 15 through a handwritten letter posted on his social media. Lee Jun-young wrote that he had spent months thinking over where to begin and had finally decided to write directly, adding that he was already on his tenth rewrite. He also explained that he wanted to tell fans directly rather than let them hear the news through articles.

Lee Jun-young said that once he had received the date, he found himself thinking deeply for the first time in a while. He promised to go and return in good health and in a way true to himself. He also said he hoped everyone would stay healthy until the day he could greet them again, and that each person would spend happy and meaningful time in their own place.

After wrapping New Recruit Chairman Kang, he appears on You Quiz

Before enlistment, Lee Jun-young wrapped up his activities with JTBC weekend drama “New Recruit Chairman Kang,” his final project before entering military service. The drama ended on July 5, and he played lead character Hwang Jun-hyun. In the story, Hwang Jun-hyun’s body comes to hold the soul of Kang Yong-ho, the 72-year-old chairman of Choiseong Group, played by Son Hyun-joo, after an accident.

To portray the experience of a 72-year-old man, Lee Jun-young studied the acting of senior actor Son Hyun-joo and immersed himself in the character. The drama broke its own highest viewership rating with each episode and led a strong response. Through his agency, Lee Jun-young said the first thought that came to mind was that it was a project into which he had poured everything. He added that he had done his best and believed it would remain in his memory for a long time as a project from which he learned and gained a great deal.

He also expressed gratitude that he was able to leave for military service after receiving so much love. For fans preparing to wait for him, his work, handwritten letter and quick billboard reaction have become a farewell in Lee Jun-young’s own style.

Born in 1997, Lee Jun-young debuted in 2014 as a member of U-KISS. He began acting in earnest through the 2017 tvN drama “Avengers Social Club” and later built his standing as an actor through a range of projects, including the Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and “Weak Hero Class 2.”

As his final broadcast activity before enlistment, Lee Jun-young will appear on tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block” on July 8. Even while he is serving in the military, several upcoming projects are waiting for release. They include the tvN drama “Four Hands,” scheduled to premiere in September, the Netflix series “This Damn Love,” and the film “Japhil.”