Tony An discharged from military

Tony An speaks to fans and reporters after being discharged from the military on September 14, 2010. [Lee Ki-bum/Asia Economic Daily]

Singer Tony An was discharged from the military on Tuesday after serving close to three years in South Korea's Defense Media Agency (DMA) as part of fulfilling the country's mandatory military duties.

"I thank all my fans who have waited for me for two years and ten months," An said at a press conference and fan meeting held immediately after his military discharge, adding he feels as if he "just finished life as a trainee and made a new debut."He has already recorded a song, set for release tomorrow, which expresses his gratitude to the fans who have waited for his comeback. Some 200 fans showed up in front of the DMA office in Yongsan of Seoul, congratulating and greeting the 32-year-old singer.

When asked what he wants to do the most, he responded, "I want to go home and rest but I think I'll have to at least go eat with my friends who have come here to meet me."

Tony An, whose real name is An Seung-ho, made his debut in 1996 as a singer in the now-disbanded idol group H.O.T. He then formed JTL with its ex-members Jang Woo-hyuk and Lee Jae-won but the trio also broke up naturally when the bandmates sought solo careers. An is also the CEO of music entertainment company TN Entertainment and Skoolooks, a school uniform company.

Reporter : Lee Jong-gil leemean@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@