Korean superstar Lee Min Ho, popular among Filipinos for his role as Gu Jun Pyo in the hit series Boys Over Flowers, will be out of the limelight for two years to start his mandatory military service next month.
Earlier this year, rumors circulated that Lee Min Ho would be enlisting in March or April, but his agency MYM Entertainment denied this by saying they had not received the actor’s enlistment letter. But on Tuesday, the talent agency confirmed that that Lee Min Ho will begin service on May 12.
Military service is mandatory for every South Korean male between the age of 18 and 35. They are required to perform two years of military service, with the rationale being the continued threat from North Korea. When the men enlist, they receive four weeks of basic military training and serve for 21 months at an army base, which is usually located in a rural, secluded area. The marines serve for 23 months, and air force for 24 months.
Lee Min Ho will be assigned at Gangnam-gu office as a public service officer. The talent agency said that 29-year-old actor has been assigned to a non-combat position due to an injury sustained in a 2006 car accident with fellow actor Jung Il-woo.
Following Lee Min Ho’s military enlistment, we are counting down the hottest South Korean celebrities who are turning 30 this year and who are likely to go on showbiz hiatus to fulfill their duties as citizens of The Land of the Morning Calm.
Korean stars enlist in military service…
Kim Soo Hyun
The handsome alien in My Love from the Star has mentioned his military enlistment multiple times last year. He says he’ll enlist after his much anticipated film Real premieres. Now, according to CJ E&M Corporation, the entertainment company that produced the action thriller, the movie is set to premiere in June. So, it seems that Kim Soo Hyun in the next K Drama star to join the military after Lee Min Ho.
Big Bang’s Taeyang and G-Dragon
Is Big Bang going to be disbanded soon? It is quite likely especially if there will be no members to record music for the band and go on tours. After T.O.P’s enlistment, G-Dragon and Taeyang are expected to enlist in late 2017, followed by Daesung in 2018 and Seungri in 2019. According to YG Entertainment, the boy band’s talent agency, the two K-pop stars will release solo albums before they leave for the army. At least, their fans have something to look forward to while they’re gone.
Jang Geun Suk
Best known for starring in the television dramas Beethoven Virus (2008), You’re Beautiful (2009), Mary Stayed Out All Night (2010), Love Rain (2012), Pretty Man (2013) and Jackpot (2016), the 29-year-old singer-actor admitted that he feels anxious every time his military enlistment is the topic. For consolation, since every South Korean man will go through the same challenge once in their life, he thinks that it’s just a natural thing to feel nervous. His enlistment though has not been confirmed yet.
2PM’s Taecyeon and Jun. K
The six-member boy band might have to take a break after its members have expressed their intention to finally render military service. Taecyeon is keen on his plan to pushing through with his military enlistment this year, in fact, he has already given up his US green card so he could serve in the Korean army. Meanwhile, updates surrounding Jun.K’s enlistment are yet to be announced. Jun. K fractured his elbow and one of his fingers when he fell off the stage during 2PM’s concert last month.
Seo In Guk
The singer-actor returned from mandatory military service four days after he quietly made his way to Yeoncheon County’s 5th division in Gyeonggi Province to start training on March 28. The 29-year-old star, who starred in a series of top rating drama on MBC and tvN, was ordered to take his leave due to medical concerns on a fractured ankle. His fans can still rejoice as he wasn’t supposed to return to his military duties until December 2018.
