Key’s Enlistment Date News
SHINee’s Key’s enlistment date news already surfaced at the beginning of January 2019. He will be the 2nd member to leave for military enlistment. Through his agency, SM Entertainment, they confirmed that SHINee’s Key had submitted an application to fulfill his mandatory military service by serving in the military band in early January and got accept on January 25th, 2019.
SHINee’s Key released his handwritten letter on March 3rd, 2019, through his personal Instagram account. Through the letter, he thanked fans for the love and support they have given him since his debut with SHINee and promised to return in good health.
“To. All my little freaks. Hello, this is SHINee’s Key. Everyone’s doing well, right? I debuted in 2008 and busily made it this far. The precious memories I’ve shared with everyone have become the driving force for me to run towards the same place without getting distracted. I’m always thankful, and I feel sorry that I couldn’t entirely express my feelings of gratitude. I haven’t had long breaks before, but I’ve been called to enlist on March 4th, so I won’t be able to greet you all for the time being. Although many of you might feel hurt and disappointed, I know you’ve waited for this long before while waiting for album releases, so without many worries, I’ll bravely return in good health. Please stay healthy and happy. I hope you’ll spend your time filled with love. I’m always grateful, and I love you. P.S. I’m leaving!!!!!♡ FROM. KEY”
Key’s Last Project Before Enlistment
SHINee Key was still active as an entertainer before his enlistment day. He appeared in several variety shows, was involved in a movie project, released an album and also held a solo concert in both Korea and Japan. Let’s check out the details.
Variety Show Appearance: KBS’ Happy Together and More
SHINee Key was active as a regular cast member of variety shows, such as tvN’s Amazing Saturday and tvN’s Seoulmate 2. He also appeared as a guest on KBS’ Happy Together, a special appearance of SM Entertainment alongside entertainer Lee Soo-geun, solo artist BoA, EXO’s Baekhyun and Sehun, and also NCT127’s Tae-young and Jaehyun.
Movie Hit-and-Run Squad
SHINee’s Key joined the cast line-up of the movie Hit-and-Run Squad with actor Jo Jung-suk, actress Gong Hyo-jin, actor Ryu Jun-yeol, actress Jeon Hye-jin, and actress Yum Jung-ah. SHINee’s Key will appear as a cameo in the movie.
SHINee’s Key plays the role of Dong Soo, who is the driver of a tow truck that always arrives on the scene immediately after a hit-and-run and has strong chemistry with Seo Min-Jae, played by Ryu Jun-yeol.
Key’s First Solo Album in Korea and Japan
SHINee’s Key released his first solo album FACE on November 26th, 2018. The album consists of 10 songs, including 1 pre-released song “Forever Yours”; featuring solo artist and ex-member of SISTAR, Soyou; and a title track “One of Those Nights”; featuring solo artist CRUSH.
The same year, SHINee’s Key released his first solo album Hologram in a regular version and a limited edition version. His strong solo debut in Japan on December 26th, 2018, made him able to hit No. 1 on Oricon’s daily album chart. According to it, Key’s Japanese debut album sold 21,420 copies in just one day, which is another milestone for a SHINee member to succeed as a solo artist in Japan, other than Taemin. The album Hologram consists of 5 tracks, including a Japanese version of “One of Those Nights” and the title track “Hologram.”
One day before his military enlistment, SHINee’s Key released his repackage album I Wanna Be on March 3rd, 2019. The album consists of 13 songs with additional 3 songs, including the title track “I Wanna Be” featuring (G)-IDLE’s So-yeon. The income from the album sales will be donated to a hospital for sick children.
Key’s Solo Concert ‘THE AGIT KEY LAND-KEY’
SHINee’s Key’s first solo concert ‘THE AGIT: KEY LAND – KEY’ was held on February 2nd – 3rd, 2019 and February 7th – 10th, 2019 at SMTOWN Coex Artium for a total of six days. Previously, SHINee’s Key had held two special live events ‘Key Land’ in Kobe and Yokohama, with a total approximate audience of 18,000.
Key in the Military
SHINee’s Key enlisted on March 4th, 2019, at the Korea Army Training Center in Nonsan. He finished his basic military training on April 9th, 2019. On March 12th, 2019, the Korea Army Training Center official website shared a photo of SHINee’s Key and other soldiers in the same room as him. SHINee’s Key demonstrated an impressive result during the training and became a company group leader. SHINee’s Key lead his group during the military training graduation ceremony.
SHINee’s Key left a sweet message during his training days to SHINee World. There was a video recording showing SHINee’s Key during his training days being asked who he misses currently to which he answers SHINee World. After he finished military training, he updated his Instagram and said that he was fine.
A post shared by SHINee KEY (@bumkeyk) on Apr 8, 2019 at 7:57pm PDT
SHINee Members Support
On SHINee’s Key’s military enlistment date, fellow SHINee members, Taemin and Minho, are watching and waving goodbye as they did previously for Onew back in December 2018. SHINee’s Minho and Taemin accompany SHINee’s Key until he goes inside the training camp. The same day, SHINee World, SHINee’s fans, gathered alongside SHINee’s Minho and Taemin to send SHINee’s Key off to the military.
