Kholidah
Lee Junyoung, the versatile performer who transitioned from a K-pop idol in the group U-KISS to one of South Korea’s most sought-after leading actors, has officially announced his retirement from the music industry. The announcement, which includes confirmation of his upcoming mandatory military enlistment, marks a significant turning point in a career that has spanned over a decade across music, television, and film. Following a highly decorated year in 2024 and 2025, Lee’s decision to step away from his identity as a singer to focus exclusively on acting and dance reflects a strategic shift in his professional trajectory.
A Record-Breaking Year of Achievement and Recognition
The announcement comes on the heels of what industry analysts describe as a "golden year" for Lee Junyoung. Throughout late 2024 and early 2025, Lee maintained an exhaustive schedule that saw him dominate both domestic broadcast television and global streaming platforms. His efforts were rewarded with several of the industry’s highest honors, most notably the Best Actor Award at the 10th anniversary Asia Artist Awards (AAA 2025) and the Male Excellence Award at the KBS Drama Awards.
During the previous calendar year, Lee appeared in five major productions and two feature films. His portfolio included three high-profile Netflix original series: Melo Movie, When Life Gives You Tangerines (where he starred alongside IU and Park Bo-gum), and the highly anticipated Weak Hero Class 2. Additionally, he held a special role in the TVING original The Queen Who Crowns and led the KBS 2TV drama Pump Up The Healthy Love.
Reflecting on this period of intense productivity, Lee described the experience as a physical and mental limit-test. "Last year, I truly worked the hardest," Lee stated in a recent press engagement. "It was a year where I poured everything I had into it. Honestly, it was almost impossible, but I squeezed my time so tightly and pushed myself to keep up with the schedule. I wondered when I would ever be this busy again. It was hectic but fun."
The Physical Toll of Industry Demands
The rapid pace of Lee’s career advancement has not been without significant physical consequences. The actor revealed that during the peak of his filming schedules, he experienced a health crisis that served as a catalyst for his current perspective on his career and upcoming military service.
Lee disclosed that he suffered a physical collapse due to chronic overwork and sleep deprivation. At the height of his commitments, he was managing overlapping filming schedules for two major projects simultaneously, often sleeping only two to three hours a day and receiving only one or two days off per month.
"When the filming periods for two projects overlapped, I thought I was strong, but my body broke down," Lee explained. "Then, one day, I suddenly fainted. It wasn’t just me—my manager and the staff worked extremely hard as well. So, I feel even more relieved now [about the upcoming break]."
This incident highlights a broader conversation within the South Korean entertainment industry regarding the grueling production schedules often required of top-tier talent. For Lee, the upcoming military hiatus is viewed not as a setback, but as a necessary period of physical recovery.
Retirement from Solo Music: Closing the "Last Dance" Chapter
Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of Lee’s announcement is his formal retirement from solo music activities. While many "idol-actors" maintain dual careers to maximize their fan base and commercial viability, Lee has opted to conclude his musical journey.
His most recent solo mini-album, titled Last Dance, was released five years after his previous musical effort. The title, it is now revealed, was literal. Lee confirmed that the project was designed to be his final contribution to the music industry. He performed the album’s lead tracks before an audience of 55,000 at the AAA 2025 and participated in the AAA Festival ACON 2025, serving as a farewell to his fans in the music community.
"Actually, I have no future plans as a singer," Lee stated. "Last Dance was my final album. That’s why I named the album that way. I don’t know what will happen later, but for now, this is how I feel. I think I’ve closed the chapter well with Last Dance."
Lee’s reasoning for this departure is rooted in a professional respect for the music industry. He expressed a desire to avoid being perceived as a "hobbyist" in a field where others dedicate their entire professional lives.
"To those who have singing as their profession, I might seem like I’m doing it just as an event," he noted. "When I thought about whether I could do both acting and singing equally well, I realized I can’t. It would also be unfair to them. So I feel like, ‘I’ve had fun and done well, so now let me move on.’"
Military Enlistment Plans and Future Outlook
Born on January 22, 1997, Lee Junyoung has reached the age limit for mandatory military service under South Korean law. He is scheduled to enlist within the current calendar year. Despite the typical concerns regarding the "career hiatus" that military service imposes on rising stars, Lee expressed a stoic and even relieved attitude toward his enlistment.
"I don’t feel regretful at all," he said regarding the upcoming break in his acting career. "Actually, I think I’ll feel relieved. Physically, it’s been really tough."
Addressing the repeated public inquiries about his enlistment, Lee remained pragmatic, acknowledging that as a 30-year-old (by Korean age reckoning), the questions were natural. His primary concern, he noted, was maintaining his health during his service, citing lingering issues with his knees and back resulting from years of intensive choreography and stunt work.
"I think I’m enlisting much later than expected," Lee admitted. "So my only worry is whether I can stay healthy. Other than health concerns, I’m not thinking much. I just want to do my best and follow orders in the army."
Career Chronology and Upcoming Releases
To ensure his presence remains felt during his 18-month absence, Lee has completed several projects that are slated for release during his service period. This "stockpiling" of content is a common strategy among high-profile South Korean actors to mitigate the impact of the mandatory service hiatus.
Chronology of Recent and Upcoming Works:
- 2024: Melo Movie (Netflix), When Life Gives You Tangerines (Netflix), Weak Hero Class 2 (Netflix).
- 2024: The Queen Who Crowns (TVING – Special Appearance), Pump Up The Healthy Love (KBS 2TV).
- 2025 (Pre-Enlistment): Reborn Rookie (JTBC), Four Hands (tvN).
- 2025 (Post-Enlistment Releases): Various unannounced film cameos and completed drama series.
Lee’s transition from his 2014 debut as a late addition to the group U-KISS to a winner of "The Unit" (forming the project group UNB) and finally to a critically acclaimed actor represents one of the most successful "second acts" in the K-pop industry.
The Enduring Passion for Dance
While Lee is retiring from the commercial music industry, he emphasized that he is not abandoning his roots as a dancer. Before his idol debut, Lee was primarily a street dancer, and he intends to maintain this discipline as a personal passion and a tool for his acting career.
"My beginning was dancing," Lee said. "I want to keep dancing even when I’m 60 or 70 years old. I love it that much. Even now, when there are dance battles on weekends, I go and get inspiration and feel healed through dancing."
He noted that his future identity will be defined by a dual focus: "I’ve been thinking about how I want to live my life well as an actor and a dancer. But I don’t think it will change much. As a person, I will move according to what I like."
Industry Implications and Analysis
Lee Junyoung’s decision to formally retire from singing while at the height of his popularity as an actor signals a shift in how "multi-hyphenate" entertainers manage their brands. Historically, the "idol-actor" label was often viewed with skepticism by traditional film critics. By explicitly retiring from music to focus on the "craft" of acting, Lee is positioning himself as a serious thespian rather than a pop star who acts.
Furthermore, his candidness regarding the physical toll of the industry and his "relief" at enlisting provides a rare glimpse into the exhaustion faced by top-tier talent. As the global demand for K-content grows, the pressure on actors to maintain year-round visibility has intensified.
Lee’s departure for military service comes at a time when he is arguably the most bankable actor in his age bracket. However, his nonchalant attitude toward his popularity suggests a long-term view of his career. "I think popularity doesn’t belong to me," he concluded. "After I come back, I’ll work with people who support and like me; if they aren’t there, then I’ll think about it then. That doesn’t control my feelings. Right now, the projects ahead of me are more important."
As Lee Junyoung prepares for his enlistment, the industry awaits the release of his final pre-recorded works, which are expected to solidify his legacy before his eventual return to the screen.
