INFINITE's Sungkyu to join Army

SEOUL, May 8 (Yonhap) -- Kim Sung-kyu, leader of the popular boy band INFINITE, will begin his military duty next week, his management agency said Tuesday.

"Sungkyu will join the Army as an active-duty soldier on May 14," Woollim Entertainment said in a release, using his stage name. "He will receive basic training at the boot camp in the 22nd Division of the Army in Goseong, Gangwon Province."

   In South Korea, all able-bodied men have to fulfill military duty for around two years.

The singer made a surprise announcement to his fans during a solo concert at a Seoul university the previous day.

"I didn't talk about this because I thought it would be shocking, but I realized today is the last day to talk about it. I came to join the Army next week," he said. "I'm sorry to have to be away from you for a while, but everyone should go to the military and it's natural. Stay healthy and cheer for the rest of the members."

   Debuting in 2010 as an INFINITE member, Kim has put out two individual EPs -- "Another Me" in 2012 and "27" in 2015 -- and a full-length album called "10 Stories."

   He has also appeared in stage musicals such as "Gwanghwamun Sonata," "In the Heights," "All Shook Up" and the play "Amadeus."

  

This file photo shows Sungkyu of INFINITE. (Yonhap)

sshim@yna.co.kr

(END)