Wheesung Released From The Army: Singer Apologizes That His Enlistment 'Was A Bit Noisy In The Final Run'

One year and nine months after he enlisted at South Korea's Nonsan Army Training Center, R&B singer Wheesung was honorably discharged at the same location on Friday.

The 31-year-old singer told the crowd of fans and journalists that he was sorry that the end of his time in the army was marred with three days added to his enlistment as punishment for using a cell phone.

"I wanted to get discharged quietly and cleanly, so I'm apologetic that it was a bit noisy in the final run," Wheesung said, according to the publication eNEWS.

Although the army strictly forbids soldiers possessing or using cellphones, the singer received a reduced sentence in light of the fact that he was making the calls while receiving treatment for a herniated lumbar disc in his back at the Korean Armed Forces Capital Hospital, according to the website TENASIA.

"More than my heart hurting, I think what was more painful was that my family and fans were sad," Wheesung told the crowd.

"I'm just glad that I can sing again. Thank you for coming out to see me today."

According to his lawyer, Wheesung was using the phone to attempt to clear his name in charges of Propofol abuse that he was later cleared of.

"The fact that Wheesung used his cell phone not at the training facility but at the hospital, the fact that he used his cell phone to talk to witnesses who would prove his innocence on the propofol case, the fact that he didn't harm the security of his reserve, as well as the fact that he had been working hard and had been respected as an assistant instructor were all taken into consideration [to make his sentence lighter]," said the singer's legal representative.

Wheesung also showed his lighter side at his military discharge ceremony, offering up the juicy tidbit that A Pink and Crayon Pop are the hottest groups among the South Korean soldiers right now.

The star, who served as a military instructor thereby dodging the recent PR officer scandal, feels his time in the army was formative.

"I think it was good for me to come to the army," Wheesung said.

"Although I worked among very young friends, I learned a lot. I also found out which direction I would like my music to go."

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Wheesung
South Korean Army
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