SEVENTEEN’s Vernon marked the start of his mandatory military service in South Korea with a new solo release, according to Billboard. The rapper dropped “I’ll Be Back” on Thursday, only hours after reporting to a training center.
The self-written and self-composed song is an electronic pop track with a sentimental tone. Its lyrics are aimed at fans, and Vernon had previously previewed the unreleased song during his VERNON THE 8 [V8] LIVE concert in July.
Vernon will complete basic training before continuing his duty as a social service worker. Billboard reports that his expected discharge date is May 19, 2028.
PLEDIS Entertainment asked fans not to visit his training center or future workplace, saying it wanted to protect Vernon and others serving with him. Vernon has spent more than a decade with SEVENTEEN, which debuted in 2015 and has become one of K-pop’s biggest acts in the U.S.
