Singer Jeong Dong-won’s true reason for volunteering for the Marine Corps has been revealed. On the 23rd, the YouTube channel ‘Entertainment President Lee Jin-ho’ posted a video titled “Shocking Exclusive: Keeping His Promise to Grandfather, the Real Reason Jeong Dong-won Joined the Marine Corps.”
On the same day, Jeong Dong-won enlisted in the Marine Corps training camp. He will undergo basic military training and then serve for 18 months. Previously, he had consistently expressed his intention to join the Marine Corps right after graduating high school through various broadcasts. His agency, Showplay Entertainment, also officially announced, “Jeong Dong-won’s decision was based on a longstanding intention.”
Lee Jin-ho stated, “Jeong Dong-won has long expressed his intention to join the Marine Corps. He even mentioned on stage to his fans about his plan to enlist in the Marine Corps a year ago.” He claimed that the real reason behind Jeong Dong-won’s choice was his admiration for his grandfather, who was also a Marine Corps veteran.
Lee Jin-ho further explained, “Jeong Dong-won’s grandfather repeatedly told him in life, ‘If you’re a man, you should definitely go to the Marine Corps. If you’re going, do it properly.'” After his grandfather passed away, Jeong Dong-won’s determination to join was solidified. He even applied to the same unit, the Pohang 1st Division, as his grandfather, expressing his affection for him.”
Additionally, Lee Jin-ho revealed, “Jeong Dong-won’s father also carried a sense of apology towards his son in many ways. Therefore, he supported his son by shaving his head along with him.”
At age 3, following his parents’ divorce, Jeong Dong-won grew up with his grandparents and naturally became acquainted with trot music under his grandfather’s influence. In January 2020, his grandfather passed away from lung cancer. Jeong Dong-won paid tribute to him by singing his grandfather’s favorite song “Bori Gogae” on TV Chosun’s “Mr. Trot” at that time, deeply touching his fans.