5 K-pop and K-drama stars who were exempted from military service, from Hospital Playlist’s Jo Jung-suk to rapper Simon Dominic and Forest star Park Hae-jin
Given South Korea’s military service requirement for its citizens, many K-pop and K-drama fans sadly anticipate the day their favourite stars need to take a 20-month break from the entertainment industry.
While army duty is mandatory for all able-bodied South Korean males between the ages of 18 and 28, there are a number of Korean celebrities who got exemptions.
Here’s a look at the stars who were spared …
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Jung Woo-sung didn’t meet the academic requirements
Prospective trainees have to meet academic requirements to take part in army duty. While it’s not applicable any more as the regulation was lifted earlier this year, according to Korea Herald, people were supposed to hold a high school diploma to be enlisted in the army until 2020.
Steel Rain star Jung Woo-sung couldn’t enlist in the army because he lacked the required academic background, according to Koreaboo. The 48-year-old actor reportedly grew up under difficult circumstances and ended up dropping out of high school.
Park Hae-jin suffered from depression
My Love from the Star actor Park Hae-jin was spared from fulfilling his two-year military duty in 2004. His lawyers said in 2010 that he received an exemption due to his struggles with depression and social phobia, according to Soompi. In 2010, the 38-year-old actor faced an investigation for possibly shirking the military draft, added Soompi.
According to Soompi, those suffering from certain mental illnesses – who have received treatment for six months or have been hospitalised for over one month – are exempt from army duty per South Korean military service law.
In an interview with Money Today, Park revealed that he had suffered from depression ever since he was young and that he was continuously getting treatment for it. He also opened up about how hurt he felt from reading news and comments scolding him for avoiding army duty on purpose.
Simon Dominic (Jung Ki-suck) damaged his left eye in a childhood accident
According to Koreaboo, he opened up about the accident in his song Who You?, singing “I’m not the same person any more” and “I was exempt after losing the sight in my left eye”.
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Yoo Ah-in (Uhm Hong-sik) was diagnosed with a bone tumour
Sungkyunkwan Scandal star Yoo Ah-in was exempted from military duty because of health issues. According to the Korea Herald, the 35-year-old actor was diagnosed with a bone tumour in 2015. He also ruptured his shoulder muscle while filming two actions films Tough as Iron and Venetian in 2013 and 2015 respectively.
- Steel Rain star Jung Woo-sung didn’t meet the military’s academic requirements, while Sungkyunkwan Scandal star Yoo Ah-in was diagnosed with a brain tumour
- Simon Dominic, who is part of Jay Park’s label AOMG, sang in his single Who You? about being exempted from army duty due to a childhood eye injury