I am grateful to Ji Chan Wook, Kang Ha Neul for taking care of me in military: Infinite's Sunggyu

Infinite's lead vocalist Lee Sung-kyu, popularly known by stage name Sunggyu, has expressed gratitude towards Ji Chan-wook and Kang Ha-neul for taking care of him in the military during their current mandatory military enlistment.

As noted by website Soompi, on August 14, Sunggyu, Ji Chan-wook and Kang Ha-neul attended a press conference for their upcoming military musical, 'Shinheung Military Academy.' Each of them talked about their respective experiences regarding preparation for the musical while still serving the military.

Speaking of his co-stars in the project and fellow military men, Sunggyu said, "In two weeks, I'll be a first-class private. Both Ji Chang-wook and Kang Ha-neul have been so nice to me and always look out for me. I'm so grateful to have people looking out for me wherever I go, and I take that gratitude and put it into every rehearsal."

This caring attitude of Sunggyu's military comrades was evident during the photoshoot at the press conference venue when Ji Chan-wook and Kang Ha-neul helped Sunggyu correct his hand posture for a proper military salute. All three of them were cast for the musical through open auditions.

Regarding the opportunity to act in the musical, Sunggyu said, "I am working hard to create a stage that will do justice to the memory of those who sacrificed so much for this country. I am doing my best to create a stage I can be proud of, and that can convey the emotions the characters must have felt." Take a look at some of the pictures in Twitter, below.

Sanggyu had enlisted in the military on May 14 this year while Ji Chang-wook and Kang Ha-neul enlisted on September 11, 2017 and August 14, 2017, respectively.

Ji Chan-wook also felt honoured to be part of the musical and said, "I'm grateful to be given the opportunity to be one of the soldiers to participate in such a great project. This is a very meaningful project for me, and I'm having so much fun preparing for it." He went on to say, "I'm working hard with my fellow soldiers, my seniors, my friends, my fellow actors. We've shared both tears and laughter making this project, and I hope people will anticipate it."

Kang Ha-neul also revealed his own thoughts, saying, "I approach every project I take part in with the mindset of making sure I have fun and enjoy myself. From the moment I joined this musical, I knew that I would be able to have fun and bring joy to many people. There are many soldiers in the army who hold dreams of becoming an actor. Though not all of them will be able to stand on stage through this production, many were able to audition and be selected for the musical. It is with these people that I have had the chance to share this meaningful moment, and they are a big reason why I am able to have so much fun. I will continue to work hard."

Ji Chan-wook and Kang Ha-neul have acted together in a musical before, called "Thrill me." Sunggyu has also performed in a number of musicals.

'Shinheung Military Academy' is set during 1910, during the Japanese occupation of Korea, when many Koreans gathered in Manchuria with the objective to liberate their country and formed a resistance against the Japanese forces by forming a military academy of their own. The musical will include 37 cast members; many of whom are soldiers who can also act, dance and sing, like Sunggyu, Chan-wook and Ha-neul.

As noted by Soompi, Sunggyu will play Ji Chung-chun, a Japanese military academy graduate who returns to Korea to liberate his country against his former masters. Ji Chang-wook will play Dong Gyu, who joins the academy, inspired by his father, who committed suicide in resistance to Japanese imperialism. Kang Ha Neul will play Pal Do, an orphan who becomes a key member of the liberation army in the academy.

The musical produced by the military will run from September 9 to September 23 at Theatre Yong of the National Museum of Korea. About 19 shows are planned at the venue following which the musical will tour across South Korea.