Hyun Bin Entering the army

Hyun Bin joined the Marines on Monday for his military service in South Korea.

'I have received great attention and love in the year 2010 and now I have been ordered by my country (to serve in the military). I will return the love you have given me in two years and I will spend those two years well,' Hyun said in the farewell message to his fans gathered in front of the Marines Corp training base.

He also said he was grateful to those who spared time to come here to see him and promised to be back.

He will take part in a five-week training in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, before being posted to a unit where he will serve for the next 21 months.

Thousands of fans, including overseas fans from Japan and China, gathered in front of the Marines Corp training base in a small town of Pohang on Monday to say goodbye to their idol. About 170 domestic and foreign reporters were at the scene to report the moment Hyun joins the Marines.

Korean news channel YTN also broadcasted live from the scene.

Welcoming placards for Hyun drew media attention days before he appeared. The office of Ocheon town, where the Marine Corps training base is located, put up a placard welcoming the soon-to-be enlisted Marines, indicating the direction where fans of Hyun Bin should go to prevent chaos breaking out on the big day.

Source: KOREA HERALD/ANN