Former VIXX member Ravi, whose real name is Kim Won-sik, broke his long public silence on Mar. 27, 2026, by posting a written apology on social media, confirming that he was officially discharged from military service on Dec. 13, 2025, after completing the remainder of his duties following his conviction for violating South Korea’s Military Service Act.
In his post, Ravi acknowledged his wrongdoing and expressed deep regret. “I reflected on myself and realized how ashamed I was of myself for using my personal circumstances and environment as excuses when I should have pushed forward,” he wrote. He added that he came to understand that his “cowardly choices could hurt and harm others” and asked for forgiveness from those affected.
The 33-year-old rapper and songwriter had been largely absent from the public eye since his legal troubles began. In 2022, Ravi was indicted for conspiring with a military service broker to fabricate an epilepsy diagnosis in order to avoid active duty, according to Koreaboo.
According to court proceedings, he acted out fainting episodes and submitted false medical documents, even pressuring a doctor to provide a treatment opinion despite the doctor initially stating his symptoms were unconfirmed.
In August 2023, the Seoul Southern District Court sentenced Ravi to one year in prison, suspended for two years, along with 120 hours of community service. The court noted that while obstructing public duty through deception was a serious offense, Ravi was a first-time offender who admitted to his wrongdoing.
Ravi had been serving as a public service worker since October 2022, but his service was suspended during the trial. After sentencing, he completed the remaining period of his military obligation in accordance with rulings from South Korea’s Military Manpower Administration before being discharged in December 2025, Chosun reported.
The controversy also had a lasting impact on his music career. In April 2023, shortly after prosecutors requested a two-year prison sentence, Ravi issued his first public apology and announced his withdrawal from VIXX.
He explained at the time that he had been the only profit-generating artist at his agency, Jellyfish Entertainment, and felt desperate to postpone enlistment due to contract obligations delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency confirmed his departure the same day, as per the Korea JoongAng Daily.
In his latest message, Ravi made no mention of plans to return to the entertainment industry. He closed his apology by stating, “I will continue to learn and discipline myself to become a better person in the future.”