In South Korea, the military law states that it is compulsory for every able-bodied male citizen between the ages of 18 and 35 to serve in defense, for 18–21 months.
Members of the popular band BTS are also in the news to enlist for mandatory military training.
Let’s take a look at some of the popular South Korean actors who have been enlisted and enrolled for the Mandatory Military Service”.
Song Joong Ki:
Song Joong Ki graduated with a degree in business administration, in the year 2012. Soon afterward he took break from acting to fulfill his mandatory military service. Finally, he returned to television as Yoo Si-Jin, a captain in the South Korean army, in the drama ‘Descendants of the Sun’.
Song Kang:
‘My Demon’ actor Song Kang has been serving his military duty. He had enlisted for the South Korean mandatory military duty on April 2, 2024. Kang will complete his service in 2025.
The ‘Nevertheless’ actor is serving South Korea’s 7th Infantry Division, 12th Company, 2-1 Platoon.
Jungkook:
BTS Rockstar Jungkook, with his fellow member Jimin, was enlisted at the Army 5th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do, last December. His fans all over the world are eagerly waiting for their star to return soon. The BTS star is expected to be discharged on June 11, 2025.
Park Seo Joon:
After his high school in 2008, Park Seo Joon went straight to the military, he was 19 years old. He got discharged in 2010 and afterwards, was ready to start his career in acting in 2011. Since then, there has been no turning back for Park Seo Joon.
Jung Hae In:
Jung Hae In at the age of 21 was enlisted in the army, right after he finished his first year of college. He served for two years in the military. It was a good time for the ‘Something in the Rain‘ actor to figure out what he wanted to do for his career.
Yoo Seung Ho:
Yoo Seung Ho debuted when he was just six years old. After his role In 2002, as Sang Woo in “The Way Home” made him a star, Yoo Seung Ho continued to work as a main lead in many movies and dramas. In 2013, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the military service. He was discharged in December of 2014 and continues to star in dramas like ‘I am Not a Robot’.
Ji Chang Wook:
JCW enlisted in the military on August 14, 2017. He was assigned to the Army’s 5th Artillery Brigade at Cheorwon, Gangwon Province. Sergeant Ji Chang Wook officially completed his military enlistment on 27 April 2019. He was appointed as a Platoon Leader and promoted to Corporal and further promoted to Sergeant.
Kim Soo Hyun:
Kim Soo Hyun was enlisted to complete his mandatory military service in October 2017 and marked his return to acting with the romantic comedy It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020).
Lee Jae-Wook:
The ‘Alchemy of Souls’ actor Lee Jae-wook, enlisted in the military in August 2009. He served under the National Defense Public Relations Service and was discharged in June 2011.
The Goblin star Gong Yoo was enlisted for the mandatory service On January 14, 2008. Gong, was discharged on December 8, 2009. After his eight months of frontline active service in Cheorwon, he was transferred to the Defense Media Agency. In Agency he served in the public relations department where he hosted as a DJ for the army radio station.
Byeon Woo Seok:
Unlike most actors, Byeon Woo Seok completed his military service at a young age, back in 2013. The ‘Lovely Runner’ actor was only 22 years old when he got enlisted. He joined the civil defense, serving in the 37th Division in Jeungpyeong, Chungbuk.
He completed his service before his acting debut in 2016. After getting discharged, he started his official career as a model. It’s a relief for the fans as he will continue to showcase his acting skills possibly without any break.
Actors who were exempted from mandatory military enlistment
Though military service is mandatory in South Korea yet in some crucial cases, citizens are exempted from enlisting. There few stars also who have been excused from mandatory military enlistment for various personal and medical reasons, take a look at:
Ahn Hyo Seop:
The 28-year-old ‘Business Proposal’ actor was expected to join the mandatory military service in South Korea. It was revealed that despite Ahn Hyo Seop being born in Korea, has Canadian citizenship. His family moved to Canada when he was six years old.
Ahn Hyo Seop returned to Korea only after being cast by JYP Entertainment. The Canadian citizenship is the reason for his exemption from mandatory enlistment.
Kim Woo Bin:
In 2018, it was reported that Kim Woo Bin’s health had halted his military enrolment. His agency had stated that, “After Kim Woo Bin was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer last May. He received his military enlistment draft notice from the Military Manpower Administration not long after he finished his chemotherapy treatments. He went in for another physical examination, and was judged as Grade 6, unable to enlist.”
Jo Jung Suk:
The ‘Hospital Playlist’ star was also exempted from the mandatory military service, because of his family’s condition. It was reported that he was the sole caretaker of his mother after his father passed away. The actor had to quit his school to work in musicals and the acting industry, to provide for his family.
Seo In Guk:
In March 2017, Seo In Guk, the ‘Doom at Your Service’ actor had enlisted for the mandatory military training but was soon exempted from the same. He was excused from the duty because of osteochondral lesions, which cause chronic pain in the ankle. He was criticized for taking advantage of his medical condition to avoid mandatory service.
For avid K-Drama viewers, it can be pretty painful to wait for their favourite star to complete their mandatory training of 18 months.
Some actors have completed their service early in their careers and some, before they even debuted. This helps in making things a little less painful for fans.
