Hyungsik appeared on the show last June after MBLAQ's Mir left the show. The show was his step up to recognition, earning him the title 'baby soldier' and winning him a place in viewers' hearts. He was rumored to leave last January when Jang Hyuk, Ryu Soo Young, and Son Jin Young left, but he stayed for the 2nd season. He was rumored again to leave last April because of his back injury, but he stayed on with the show. 

An insider said, "After he was cast in KBS 2TV's new weekend drama 'What's With This Family', he couldn't fit ths in his schedule. Both he and the staff are very disappointed with his leaving."

His label Star Empire told TVDaily, "After Hyungsik joined the drama, he couldn't run with both, and had to leave 'Real Men'. The last episodes will be his guerrilla training from where he went today. Hyungsik is very disappointed. The label tried to adjust his schedule as much as possible, but it was unavoidable. Hyungsik started 'Real Men' through guerilla training, and he's going to be ending it with the same thing. He said he will do his best for his last session."

Another insider said, "There is no one decided on who will replace him. For a while, the seven members of Seo Kyug Suk, Kim Soo Ro, Sam Hammington, Park Gun Hyung, Chun Jung Myung, K.Will, and Henry will lead the show."