Winner‘s Kang Seung Yoon, ‘Suspicion of Bad Service’ Song Mino, “Hold my hand and say goodbye soon“ [Full text]

Winner‘s Kang Seung Yoon revealed his thoughts on being discharged from the military.

On the 19th, Kang Seung Yoon posted several photos filled with memories of his military service on his SNS. He added, ”2023.06. 20.~2024.12. 19. It was a year and a half full of precious memories thanks to the comrades I met during my military life, which I started with the desire to become a person that my fans and people are proud of. Now, I will work hard to live the life that will unfold from now on, including all my seniors and juniors, and officers among those people.“

He continued, ”I would like to express my deepest gratitude and love to my inner circle (fandom), my people, and the comrades who have been through thick and thin with me. Also, I send my deepest respect and applause to all the soldiers who have protected and will protect the Republic of Korea until now and in the future. As Winner and as singer Kang Seung Yoon, I will return with a good image and good music, so I would be grateful if you could show your warm interest! Cheongseong (This is the salute of our unit)” he added.


Kang Seung Yoon also posted a handwritten letter on the fan communication community that day. He said, “I still vividly remember that day when I briefly left your side, with a vague fear of a life I had never experienced before, not being mentally prepared for the hot summer, and a bittersweet feeling of relief from the intense first act. I think you guys must have felt the same way, but this is also the first time I haven’t been able to show myself to you guys for this long, so I worried that we might grow apart for that long,“ he confessed.

Kang Seung Yoon said, ”However, even during my military service, I was able to check the hearts you sent me every time at set times without missing them, and because of that, I was able to focus on my progressive military life with a sense of relief every day. If it weren‘t for the constant support you gave me through Weverse, letters of consolation, SNS, etc., I wouldn’t have been able to smile and endure as much as I showed you guys.“

He said, ”I didn‘t express it, but whenever I felt my limits while facing many experiences that pushed me to the limit, the only light that helped me overcome it was you guys. I think the pain that you guys and Winner have overcome and the experiences you’ve had to overcome have helped me overcome my limits. I was a happy soldier thanks to you guys. He confessed, “I was a soldier loved by my comrades because you were there.”

Kang Seung Yoon said, “Through my various experiences, I have become stronger and I am just as excited as you all for the new stories that I will write,” and added, “After enjoying a bit of daily life, I plan to focus on completing about 10 songs, including sketches, that I aimed for in 24 years for a quick comeback and working on new, better music. However, for all of you who have been waiting, I will not hesitate and will work hard to show my face if there is a good opportunity.”

He once again thanked the fans who have waited and concluded his message by saying, “I will hold hands with Jinwoo hyung, Seunghoon hyung, and Minho and greet you again soon. I’ll give you flower shoes! I love our Inseo.”

Meanwhile, Kang Seung Yoon, the only active-duty member of the group, was discharged from the army on the 19th. Other Winner members Kim Jinwoo and Lee Seunghoon have completed their alternative service as social service workers and have been discharged. Song Minho has also begun his alternative service, and allegations of poor service have recently surfaced. He is scheduled to be discharged on the 23rd.



Below is Kang Seung Yoon‘s full letter

To . Our Inners

I still vividly remember that day when I briefly left your side, carrying a vague fear of a life I had never experienced before, a bittersweet feeling about the intense first act, and an unprepared mind for the hot summer. I think you guys must have felt the same way, but this is also the first time I haven’t been able to show myself to you guys for this long, so I worried that we might grow apart for that long.

However, even during my military service, I was able to check the hearts you guys sent me every time at set times without missing them, and because of that, I was able to focus on my progressive military life with a sense of relief every day. If it weren‘t for the constant support you gave me through Weverse, letters of consolation, SNS, etc., I wouldn’t have been able to smile and endure as much as you guys showed me.

Although I didn‘t express it, there were many experiences where I was pushed to the limit, and whenever I felt my limits, the only light that helped me overcome them was you guys. I think the pain that you guys and Winner have overcome and the experiences you’ve had to overcome have helped me overcome my limits. I was a happy soldier thanks to you guys. Because of you, I was a soldier loved by my comrades.

I am looking forward to the new stories that I will write, having become stronger and more refined through various experiences. After enjoying a little bit of daily life, I plan to focus on completing about 10 songs, including sketches, that I aimed for in 24 years for a quick comeback and working on new, better music for the time being. However, if there is a good opportunity for you who have been waiting, I will do my best to show my face without hesitation.

Thank you so much for waiting, missing me, and most of all, loving me. I am so grateful that I want to give you all the gratitude that exists in the world! I wanted to show my face even for a little while, but I hope you will be generous and understand that I do not want to get excited alone without the members. I will hold hands with Jinwoo hyung, Seunghoon hyung, and Minho and greet you soon! I will put on flower shoes for you! I love our Inseo eat well sleep well rest well! I love you guys so much

From. The unveiling of the Inseo‘s memorial ceremony

Jeong Hee-yeon, reporter for Donga.com shine2562@donga.com