On October 3, Lee Jun Young and Kwak Dong Yeon took the stage together at the Ground Forces Festival held around the Gyeryongdae military complex in South Chungcheong Province. Wearing matching T-shirts with military uniform pants, the two immediately caught the audience’s attention.
The pair joined other military band members for an energetic performance of BIGBANG’s mega-hit “Fantastic Baby.” Lee Jun Young, a member of idol group U-KISS, showcased not only his impressive vocals but also sharp rapping and powerful dance moves during the iconic “Boom Shakalaka” section, instantly raising the energy at the venue. Beside him, Kwak Dong Yeon matched his enthusiasm, displaying strong chemistry with his fellow 1997-born senior.
Lee Jun Young had already been serving with the 35th Infantry Division’s military band when Kwak Dong Yeon, who is the same age, was assigned to the same division and became his direct junior, drawing attention from fans. The special connection between the two young stars, reunited during their military service, ultimately translated into a joint performance on the large-scale Ground Forces Festival stage.
Videos of the performance quickly spread through Lee Jun Young’s fan accounts on social media. Netizens responded enthusiastically, writing, “Lee Jun Young practically doesn’t even have a military hiatus,” “Seriously, what would we have done if he hadn’t enlisted?”, “Kwak Dong Yeon and Lee Jun Young together, plus they can dance—this is such a treat to watch,” “His idol-level dancing skills haven’t gone anywhere,” and “It’s so nice to see both of them.”
Lee Jun Young is also currently appearing in tvN’s weekend drama Four Hands, Two Sonatas, where he plays genius conductor Choi Jeong Yo. The series has reportedly reached a peak viewership rating of 10.6%, making a strong impression on weekend audiences. With the drama, which he completed filming before enlistment, enjoying success while he continues to show flashes of his idol background during active military service, Lee Jun Young has remained a hot topic both on screen and in real life.
Considering the South Korean Army’s 18-month active-duty service period, Lee Jun Young, who enlisted first, is expected to complete his military service and return to fans in the first half of 2027, while Kwak Dong Yeon is expected to be discharged around mid-2027.
Sources: Daum