A Personal Account from a Fan Who Was There
Hey everyone! I wanted to share my experience from Felix (Cha Eun-woo)'s enlistment day at the Nonsan Army Training Center. As a long-time fan, I knew I had to be there to send him off properly. For anyone planning to attend a loved one's enlistment ceremony, here's what I learned from the experience.
Getting There and Timing
I arrived around 11:30 AM, which turned out to be perfect timing. The official recommendation is 12:00 PM, but honestly, getting there a bit earlier was so worth it. The parking situation gets crazy fast, especially when there's a celebrity enlisting (as you can imagine with Felix!).
The whole atmosphere was both exciting and emotional. Seeing all the families gathering, some crying, others trying to stay strong for their sons - it really hit me how significant this moment is for everyone involved.
What You Need to Bring
If you're accompanying someone who's enlisting, make sure they have:
Enlistment Notice from the Military Manpower Administration
Valid ID (Korean resident card or passport)
Pretty straightforward, but don't forget these essentials!
The Emotional Moments Before the Ceremony
There are several designated photo areas around the base, and trust me, you'll want to use them. I saw so many touching family moments - parents taking final photos with their sons, siblings giving last-minute advice.
For Felix(Cha Eun-woo), there were quite a few fans (myself included) who came to show support. The atmosphere was respectful though - everyone understood this was a serious and important day for him and his family.
The Ceremony Itself
Timeline:
1:50 PM: Announcements direct everyone to the parade ground
2:00 PM: Ceremony begins (lasts about 20 minutes)
The ceremony was surprisingly moving. Watching the new recruits practice their formations, hearing everyone sing the national anthem together, and witnessing the brief but meaningful patriotic ceremony - it gave me chills.
The most emotional part was definitely when all the trainees, including Felix(Cha Eun-woo), marched into the training center while families watched from the stands. There wasn't a dry eye in sight.
Pro tip: Get to the stands early if you want a good view. While waiting, I grabbed a coffee from the Paris Baguette on base and browsed the PX store.
Parking Reality Check
Main Parking Area:
Location: Right in front of the main gate
Capacity: Around 1,000 cars
Cost: Free (thankfully!)
Available 24/7
The parking lot was absolutely packed. I'm talking barely-any-spaces-left packed. On regular enlistment days it's probably manageable, but with Felix(Cha Eun-woo) enlisting, it was intense.
Alternative Option:
Yeonmudae Public Parking: 5-minute walk from the gate, ₩1,000/hour, about 200 spaces
My Honest Advice
Leave MUCH earlier than you think - Traffic was insane. I left 3 hours before the ceremony and barely made it comfortably.
Consider public transport - Taxi from Nonsan Station runs about ₩8,000-₩10,000, but on busy days like this, it might be your sanest option.
Bring tissues - Whether you're a family member or just a fan, this ceremony hits different. I definitely teared up watching Felix(Cha Eun-woo) take this important step.
Check the official schedule - Visit katc.mil.kr for the most current information.
Final Thoughts
Being there for Felix's enlistment was incredibly meaningful. It reminded me that behind all the celebrity glamour, he's just a young Korean man fulfilling his duty like thousands of others. The ceremony was dignified, the families were strong, and the whole experience left me with so much respect for everyone involved.
If you're planning to attend an enlistment ceremony for someone you care about, go. Yes, it's emotional and logistics can be stressful, but being there to show your support during such a significant life moment is absolutely worth it.
Wishing Felix(Cha Eun-woo) and all the other new recruits the best during their training!
