On November 14, VIXX’s Leo took to his official fan café to share his enlistment date and open up about his mental health.

In a handwritten letter, he wrote:

Hello, Starlight [VIXX’s official fandom name]. I am going to write today about something that you’ve all been curious about.

As you know, I was born in 1990. I will be enlisting in the military on December 2, which is a little late. I am not enlisting as an active duty soldier but as a public service worker.

I’m also going to talk about something that fans may already know about me. Ever since November 2013, when I went on the fan meeting world tour with VIXX, I have suffered from severe panic disorder and depression. I’ve been taking medicine regularly and am receiving treatment to ensure it doesn’t get worse.

For a long time, I have always thought that I should show a healthy side of myself when enlisting in the army. My heart is heavy because I was not able to do that, even though my enlistment was delayed. First of all, I want to say sorry to the people who will be worried about me because of my health, and also to those who are disappointed in me.

I am well aware that [my fans] have worried about me and been anxious about me without being able to tell me directly. The reason that I have been able to walk a straight path for the past seven to eight years as VIXX, despite going through hard times that made me want to give up, was because of Starlight, our muses. Because you were here, I am here also.

I want to say this again to those who have supported me and loved VIXX for eight years. Because of you, I and VIXX are who we are today. I will never forget this gratitude I feel toward you, and I will do my best to become a Jung Taekwoon [Leo’s real name] that can comfort you with music and become your muse.

I have received so much from everyone that I feel sorry instead of grateful, but I will work hard to complete my military service, become healthy, and repay [what I have received].

I bow my head in gratitude to those who love me more than I love myself, who support me and are the source of my strength. To the Starlights who have always been the center of our gravity… I’m sorry for worrying you. I love you. I, Taekwoon, am entrusting my younger VIXX members to you now.

From Taekwoon. I will do better so that I can keep going for a long time.