Male Celebrities and Military Service

Male Celebrities and Military Service

Early February, popular Korean singer-actor Lee Seung-gi received wide media coverage as he joined the R.O.K. Army for his 21 months of mandatory military service. Numerous fans even from China and Japan assembled in front of the Korea Army Training Center to see their favorite star start his main duty as a Korean male citizen. 

In fact, military service is a must for all Korean men without physical or mental defects. Spending about two years away from home and suspending one’s ordinary life for a while are significant issues for most men. Hence, deciding when and how to serve the country is one of the major decisions that a Korean man has to make in life. 

For famous young male celebrities, it is even more serious since they have to be away from fans’ attention for a while, especially when they are at the peak of their career. Therefore, it is true that the military service was taken as a heavy burden that one would want to evade if there are possible ways. 

However, these days, such views on military service have changed a lot and many male celebrities take their military service positively. They try to perform their duty sincerely just like any other man. 

There are even those who try to perform their duty more actively. Top-class actor Hyun Bin, who became so popular through several hit dramas including “Secret Garden” in late 2010, made headlines as he voluntarily joined the R.O.K. Marines Corps in early 2011. Hisexemplary service in one of Korea’s toughest military units gained much attention even though he was away from the media. He made a successful comeback to the entertainment scene after finishing his military service with even an upgraded positive image as a good entertainer.

Other popular male actors including Yoo Seung-ho and Song Jung-ki also successfully returned to the small screen after finishing their military service well in the R.O.K. Army.

Like the cases of the aforementioned actors, fulfilling one’s military duty right has become very important not only as a Korean citizen, but also as a celebrity that needs love and support from fans. It is even taken as an opportunity to upgrade one’s image as a public figure that gains much media attention.

Entertainment and pop culture experts see that more male celebrities will gladly wear their military uniforms, hence setting a positive trend.