Top K-pop star to be conscripted policeman

By Hong Dam-young

Rapper T.O.P of K-pop boy band BigBang will begin his mandatory military duty as a conscripted policeman early next year after being accepted into the National Police Agency of South Korea on Monday.

The star, whose name is Choi Seung-hyun, 29, took an exam on Oct. 25 and will be enlisted in the military band division. The date of his enlistment will be announced in two weeks.

The post requires at least six months’ experience in a related industry, a related certificate, or at least two years of studying in a related field at a college. 

While Choi’s age is considered late compared with other conscripts who usually serve from their early to mid-20s, he is the first among the five members to enter the military. Other members, such as G-Dragon and Taeyang, both 28, are planning to serve next year, according to JoongAng Ilbo.

With this year marking a decade since BigBang’s debut, the band will hold a special two-day concert -- “BigBang 10 the Concert 0. to. 10 Final in Seoul” -- at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome on Jan. 7 and 8.