A handwritten letter by singer-actor Kim Hyun-joong, written before his military enlistment Tuesday, has been made public on his fan website and through his agency.

In the two-page letter revealed Wednesday, Kim candidly expresses his remorse over the complications caused by the drawn-out legal scandal with his former girlfriend.

The letter was written on Monday evening, the day before his mandatory military enlistment.

Singer-actor Kim Hyun-joong enlists for his military services, Tuesday. (Yonhap)

"I felt really sorry (to my fans)," wrote Kim in the letter. "As a public figure, I wasn't able to share all my feelings. I spent day after day reproaching myself for not being more thoughtful and mature.

"I don't know the words to adequately apologize, other than to say that I am leaving with a huge sense of indebtedness weighing on my mind," said Kim.

"Many people had faith in me during a chaotic period and ... (gave) me renewed confidence," said Kim. "I hope the next two years (during my military service) will be an opportunity for me to be reborn. I want to return having grown as a man, as a celebrity and as a member of society."

Kim reported for duty as part of the 30th Infantry Division on Tuesday afternoon. He is set to take a five-week boot camp for his active military service over the next 21 months.

Over 150 fans from Korea, Japan and China visited Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, to bid him farewell and held up supportive posters.

(Yonhap)

Kim declined to speak to reporters who flocked around the area. He was accompanied solely by actor-businessman Bae Yong-joon, the founder of Kim's management agency KeyEast Entertainment.

Kim had been embroiled in a months-long legal battle with his former girlfriend of two years, who filed a lawsuit against him last August, citing bodily injury and assault during their relationship.

Kim admitted to engaging in "bodily fights" with his former girlfriend, surnamed Choi, during a two-month period of serious arguments.

Fans hold up supportive posters at Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, where Kim reported for duty, Tuesday. (Yonhap)

In January, Kim was ordered to pay 5 million won ($4,579) in damages to Choi. Choi is believed to be five months' pregnant with Kim's child and is scheduled to deliver in September.

The legal controversies have also been marked by highly publicized rumors of marriage and a previous miscarriage caused by domestic violence.

Kim was a successful K-pop singer and a member of boy group SS501. He gained a gentle and romantic image through roles such as "Boys Over Flowers" in 2009.

The letter that Kim shared through his online fan club and through his management website on Wednesday. (Kim Hyun-joong's online fan website)

Transcript of Kim Hyun-joong's letter to fans

Hello everybody, this is Kim Hyun-joong.

I couldn't find an easy opportunity to say goodbye and I’m now saying farewell.

To be honest, I felt really sorry. As a public figure, I wasn't able to share all my feelings. I spent day after day reproaching myself for not being more thoughtful and mature.

As a result, I thought a lot about how to apologize and to express how sorry I am as I leave.

In my heart, for my fans ... no, toward my fans I have two types of mixed feelings -- regret and gratitude.

Many people had faith in me during a chaotic period and gave me mental strength. They even thought about the parts I didn't talk about and had consistent faith in me, giving me renewed confidence. I wonder how I can repay that.

There are also people who are disappointed and angry with me. I don't know the words to adequately apologize, other than to say that I am leaving with a huge sense of indebtedness weighing on my mind.

All men born in this country enlist in the Army, but now that it has become my turn, there is a part of me that feels a little restless. Even I think that I've lived a really hard-working and competitive life so far ... but now that it is my turn, I am starting to feel very powerless.

I hope the next two years (during my military service) will be an opportunity for me to be reborn. I want to return having grown as a man, as a celebrity and as a member of society.

Over the past year, I felt grateful that even someone like myself could have been sheltered in a thoughtful and warm place in the hearts of my family, friends, colleagues, people I am thankful for and you fans.

On the day I complete my military duties, I will return -- if not as the best, at least as a better person for the people who trust me more than ever.

I end this letter with a promise to return smiling and greeting you all.

2015 May 12

Kim Hyun-joong

By Yoon Sarah (sarah356@heraldcorp.com)