Cha Eun Woo, the famed singer and actor from the K-pop group ASTRO, recently enlisted in the military on July 28 at the Korea Army Training Center in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. He is set to serve in the military band after completing his basic military training. His expected discharge date is January 27, 2027.

Fellow ASTRO member Sanha has shared updates about Cha Eun Woo's initial experiences in the military, causing both concern and amusement among fans. On August 3, Sanha revealed on a fan communication platform that Cha Eun Woo sent a message in their group chat on Saturday, August 2, saying, "How did MJ do it? Save me". MJ, the oldest member of ASTRO, completed his military service a couple of years ago.

Sanha added, "Even our physically fit Eun Woo hyung seems to be having a hard time. But I think he's adjusting well". This message offered a mix of concern and relief to fans, who were worried about the star. Given Cha Eun-woo's pre-enlistment marathon time of 11 km in 59 minutes and 45 seconds, this hints at the rigorous training environment.

Another anecdote emerged online where a user shared that their boyfriend, who is in the same training center as Cha Eun Woo, witnessed fellow soldiers staring at the singer-actor. According to this account, a drill instructor had to reprimand them, saying, "Don't stare. He's just a person".

Prior to his enlistment, Cha Eun Woo shared photos on Instagram with his ASTRO members MJ, Jinjin and Yoon Sanha, as well as Moon Sua, the sister of the late Moonbin. He also posted pictures of his new buzz cut and his pet dog.

Sanha also shared pictures from Cha Eun Woo's enlistment day, including one where Sanha is gently touching Eun Woo's head. Sanha also wore a t-shirt with a childhood photo of Cha Eun Woo and the phrase "Clothes to wear when sending someone to the army".

In a live broadcast before enlisting, Cha Eun Woo thanked fans for being with him and expressed excitement for the future. He also assured fans that he was doing well. He mentioned upcoming releases, including a solo album in September and appearances in the Netflix series "The Wonderfuls" and the film "First Ride".

Fantagio, Cha Eun Woo's agency, has asked fans to refrain from sending mail or gifts to military bases, stating that they will be discarded and could result in sanctions.

In other news, Sanha recently released his second mini album, 'Chameleon'. During the promotion for the album, Sanha credited Cha Eun Woo as a major inspiration, admiring his ability to balance acting, solo fan meetings, concerts and group album work. He expressed gratitude for Eun Woo's diverse activities, which motivated him to pursue his own ambitions and work harder.