KUALA LUMPUR: Taeyang and Daesung of popular K-Pop group BigBang were discharged from the South Korean military yesterday after successfully completing their mandatory service.
According to Soompi, the two idols were discharged from the Ground Operations Command in the city of Yongin. Naturally, Taeyang, 31, and Daesung, 30, were greeted by a huge crowd of BigBang fans, dubbed VIPs, and reporters.
Taeyang said: “I still can’t believe that I’ve been discharged. My time (in the military) could be seen as both a short period of time or a long one, depending on how you look at it, but I think it was truly meaningful. I want to thank my fellow soldiers and my superior officers who spent 20 months leading me despite my shortcomings.”
Daesung added: “I also think that I learned a lot of things after entering the military. I felt a lot of emotions that I hadn’t experienced during my everyday life, and I think that I learned a lot about empathising with other people.”
“To all of my fellow soldiers and superior officers who, even now, are working hard and toiling away to protect our country. I want to say I love you, and keep up the good work!” said the idol.
Many were curious to find out their plans for future promotions. To this, Taeyang said: “After a lot of thought and careful discussion amongst ourselves, once we have shared our opinions and come to an agreement, I’d truly like to repay (our fans) with good things, and we’ll work hard. We’ll try to show many sides of ourselves that we were unable to show during our time in the military.”
Two other BigBang members, T.O.P and G-Dragon, were also previously discharged from the military last July and October respectively.
Meanwhile, Koreaboo reported that fans were divided on whether BigBang should remain as a quartet or revert back to its original five members, which included Seungri.
In an Instagram live session Taeyang was seen responding to Korean fans as well as international fans after his discharge from the military.
A VIP had apparently told him that fans were longing for the longstanding K-Pop outfit to become a five-member group once again.
When she then asked Taeyang to tell Seungri that the fans miss him, the idol, who apparently looked a little uncomfortable, replied with, “I’ll do my best.”
Fans took to social media to voice their excitement. One fan wrote: “Today two missing parts of BigBang returned home safely. If we keep fighting and stay strong, 5 members will come together again because their brotherhood is unstoppable. I deeply know that the five parts will be united forever!”
But not all Netizens were positive about wanting the former idol to return to BigBang. A fair share expressed their vitriol at the prospect. Some were disappointed and said that Seungri should no longer be considered a member after all the controversies he brought and the laws he broke.
Earlier this year, Seungri announced his retirement from the entertainment industry after he was embroiled in a scandal linked to his night club involving sexual assault and drugs.