“Pre-enlistment tracks are always bangers”- Fans thrilled as NCT’s Jaehyun announces new digital single, ‘Unconditional’ ahead of military service

According to a Star News report, NCT Jaehyun will release a new digital single, Unconditional, ahead of his military service on October 24, 2024. The idol will enlist to fulfill his mandatory military conscription on November 4, 2024.

The NCT singer had already hinted about an upcoming song on October 17, during his fansign event in Thailand. The official announcement by Jaehyun's agency made fans emotional yet excited simultaneously. Looking at the trend of idols' pre-enlistment releases, the news of Jaehyun's new single garnered high expectations.

"pre-enlistment tracks are always bangers. kai’s rover and taemin’s advice shook the industry fr,"

Many male idols from groups such as EXO, BTS, SHINee, etc., have released songs and albums just before their enlistment date, hence gaining the title 'pre-enlistment' songs. EXO Kai's Rover, EXO Baekhyun's Bambi, SHINee Taemin's Advice, BTS Jungkook's Standing Next To You, and BTS Jimin's Closer Than This are some of the pre-enlistment songs that have gained attention from K-pop fans.

However, many fans expressed their emotional state upon hearing the news of a pre-enlistment song with a sentimental title, Unconditional. However, many casual listeners who have come to know of the singer through his solo debut album, J, also showcased excitement for his new release.

"I'm not a big fan of NCT so many people but I listen to his album it was completely my taste so I'm gonna tune in to this too," - an X user mentioned.

"I can feel this song’s gonna tear me apart," - a fan expressed.

"is this going to be the farewell song...," - an X user questioned.

Many fans noticed how the song's title was similar to a line the singer mentioned in his letter to fans on Bubble (an idol-fan communication app). Upon announcing the news of his enlistment on September 26, 2024, Jaehyun shared a heartfelt message with his fans. The concluding lines were in English which said:

"We're uncontionally timeless."

Some fans pointed out the song's lyrics and mentioned how emotional they felt upon hearing the news.

"i'm not ready to let him go," - NCTzen stated.

"im gonna start crying fr," - another fan reiterated.

""we're unconditionally timeless..." probably be the some of lyrics from "Unconditional" the best morning vals we're so loved," - a fan of the artist commented.

The artist's Bubble account will also be temporarily suspended during his military service, starting November 4, 2024.

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NCT Jaehyun to hold his first solo fan-con Mute before his enlistment

On October 17, 2024, NCT's official social media platforms announced that Jaehyun will be holding a fan concert, Mute, at the Olympic Park Handball Stadium in Seoul on October 26 and 27. The performance on the last day of the concert will be live-streamed online through various global platforms such as Beyond LIVE and Weverse.

NCT Jaehyun will be joining the Army Band of the South Korean military. However, no public event will be held at the time of his entrance to protect the privacy and safety of soldiers and recruits. Jaehyun is the second member of NCT to enlist in the military after Taeyong, who has been serving in the South Korean Navy band since April 2024.

For the unversed, in August 2024, the singer marked his solo debut with the album J, accompanied by songs such as Smoke, Dandelion, Roses, Completely, and more. Recently, Jaehyun made his big screen debut with the film You Will Die In 6 Hours alongside actors Park Ju-hyun and Kwak Shi-yang.

The singer has been the brand ambassador for the Italian luxury brand Prada since 2022. He was announced as the new brand ambassador of the cosmetic brand CLIO in August 2024.

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Unconditional will be released on October 24, at 6 pm KST on all streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, etc. The artist will hold his first solo fan concert in Seoul two days later.