Actor Cho In-sung was discharged from mandatory military service Wednesday after serving for 25 months.

Cho was honorably discharged from Pyeongtaek’s Osan Air Base at 10 a.m.

The popular actor who joined the Air Force in 2009 has been active as an honorary ambassador for the Military Manpower Administration. His last position as a serviceman was as sergeant in the military band. 

Cho was awarded a certificate from the Air Force chief of staff on Monday for his role in boosting the public image of the Air Force, his agency said. He was the first person to receive a certificate directly from the chief of staff.

Cho’s fans gathered in front of Osan Air Base to welcome his return after his discharge. Foreign and local fans shouted his name and expressed their affection.

Cho made his debut in the popular daytime sitcom “Nonstop” in 2001 and gained wide recognition by starring in the TV drama “To Shoot the Star” in 2002. He won prizes for Best Kiss and Best Tears for hit TV series “Something Happened in Bali.” Movies starring Cho such as “A Dirty Carnival” (2005) and “A Frozen Flower” (2008) also became box-office hits.

It is expected that Cho will start planning for a role in a new movie after taking a short break.

By Yun Suh-young  (syun@heraldcorp.com)