WINNER's Kang Seung-yoon Shares Thoughts After Military Service

Kang Seung-yoon (강승윤), a member of the K-pop group WINNER, expressed his feelings about completing his military service in a handwritten letter posted on the fan platform Weverse on December 19. Reflecting on his enlistment in June 2023, he recalled the mixed emotions of leaving his fans behind, saying, "I still vividly remember the day I left, carrying a vague fear of an unfamiliar life and a bittersweet feeling about the intense first chapter of my life."

During his service, Kang Seung-yoon was grateful for the unwavering support from his fans, stating, "I was able to check the heartfelt messages you sent me at designated times, which allowed me to feel reassured and focus on my military duties. Without your consistent encouragement through Weverse, letters, and social media, I wouldn't have been able to smile and endure as I did."

He acknowledged the challenges he faced, saying, "Although I didn’t express it, I encountered many extreme experiences that pushed me to my limits. The light that helped me overcome those moments was solely you. Thanks to you, I was a happy soldier, and I was loved by my comrades because of your support."

Now that he has completed 1 year and 6 months of service, Kang Seung-yoon shared his plans for a comeback. He mentioned, "After enjoying a bit of everyday life, I plan to focus on completing around 10 songs, including sketches, aimed for 2024, and work on creating even better music. I’ll be greeting you soon with Jinwoo, Seunghoon, and Minho."

Kang Seung-yoon first gained fame as a contestant on Mnet's Superstar K Season 2 in 2010. He made his acting debut in 2011 with MBC's High Kick: Revenge of the Short Legged and launched his solo career in 2013 with the song 'It Rains.' He later re-debuted with WINNER in 2014 with their first full album, 2014 S/S, which included hits like 'Empty' and 'REALLY REALLY.'

Fellow members Kim Jinwoo (김진우) and Lee Seunghoon (이승훈) completed their alternative service and have been discharged, while Song Minho (송민호) is set to be discharged on December 23. However, there have been allegations of inadequate service against him, which his agency YG Entertainment has denied.