SEVENTEEN’s Vernon Says ‘I’ll Be Back’ With New Single as He Enlists in South Korean Military

The rapper turns a track into a meaningful moment for fans, giving them something to revisit while he's away for mandatory military service. Vernon of SEVENTEEN attends SEVENTEEN's New Album 'Attacca' Release Showcase at Yeouido Conrad Hotel on Oct. 22, 2021 in Seoul, South Korea. The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via GI Trending on Billboard SEVENTEEN’s Vernon has a message for CARATs before taking a temporary step away: “I’ll Be Back.” The rapper released his new solo single of the same name Thursday (Aug. 20), just hours after entering a training center to begin his mandatory military service in South Korea. The timing is no coincidence: The self-written and self-composed track presents as something of a musical goodbye, giving fans a new Vernon song to hold onto as he begins his service. “I’ll Be Back” is an eletronic pop track with a sentimental edge, pairing Vernon’s understated style with lyrics directed toward the fans who have followed him throughout his career. He first performed the previously unreleased song during his 2026 VERNON THE 8 [V8] LIVE concert in July, where it quickly became a fan favorite. Looking back, its title now carries a little more weight. Vernon began his service on Thursday and will complete basic military training before continuing his mandatory duty as a social service worker. His expected discharge date is May 19, 2028. PLEDIS Entertainment previously asked fans not to visit either his training center or future workplace, advocating for the privacy and safety of Vernon and the other individuals who are serving alongside him. Vernon has spent more than a decade building his career as part of SEVENTEEN, which debuted in 2015. The group has become one of K-pop’s biggest acts in the U.S., earning six consecutive top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 through 2024. SEVENTEEN Best Album ’17 Is Right Here’ reached No. 5 on the chart in May 2024, extending that streak. Vernon has also continued carving out space for his own musical identity within the group, including his work with The8 in the V8 unit. That solo-minded creative streak makes “I’ll Be Back” feel less like a random goodbye gift and more like another hint of the artist Vernon is evolving into. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up