25 Korean male stars who were exempted from military service
Enlisting in the army is mandatory for all Korean male citizens, but there have been many exceptions!
Mandatory military service in Korea is considered one of the biggest concerns in the career of Korean male artists. Having to put entertainment activities on hold for 2 years at the peak of their careers can cause them to be forgotten by the public. However, male idols, singers, actors,… still have to enlist when they reach a certain age.
However, Korea’s strict enlistment system also has exceptions. In fact, many artists were granted exemption from military service for all kinds of reasons. Recently, Korean netizens on Theqoo have made a compilation of 25 male stars who did not serve in the military. Let’s take a look to see who they are:
1. Actor Jung Woo Sung
Reason for exemption from military service: Not meeting the educational requirements (Graduated from junior high school, dropped out midway through high school)
2. Actor Jang Dong Gun
Reason for exemption from military service: Pneumothorax
3. Eun Ji Won (Sechs Kies)
Reason for exemption from military service: Not meeting the educational requirements (Graduating from junior high school, a degree at Korea Kent Foreign School was not acknowledged at that time)
4. MC Kang Ho Dong
Reason for exemption from military service: Exceeding the weight limit
5. Actor Shin Hyun Joon
Reason for exemption from military service: Only son, not meeting eyesight requirements
6. Singer-songwriter Joo Young Hoon
Reason for exemption from military service: Pre-excitation syndrome in arrhythmia
7. Actor Bae Yong Jun
Reason for exemption from military service: Not meeting the requirements for eyesight
8. Actor Jo Jung Suk
Reason for exemption from military service: Difficulty in maintaining family’s livelihood
9. Singer Simon D
Reason for exemption from military service: Damage of left eye
10. Comedian Lee Yoon Suk
Reason for exemption from military service: not meeting weight and eyesight requirements, rheumatoid arthritis.
11. MC Mong
Reason for exemption from military service: Insufficient tooth function (missing teeth)
In MC Mong’s case, he was initially exempted from mandatory military service because he lacked 12 molars. The Korean military service law stipulates that citizens who lose 9 molars will be exempted from military service. However, it was later discovered that MC Mong had purposely pulled out 12 teeth to avoid his service. The male singer had to appear in court, receive a prison sentence, and be ostracized until today.
12. Actor Son Ji Chang
Reason for exemption from military service: Family situation is not transparent (having one illegitimate child)
13. Actor Lee Hee Jun
Reason for exemption from military service: Thyroid damage due to traffic accident
14. Comedian Kim Byung Man
Reason for exemption from military service: Not having enough height as prescribed
15. Jung Joon Young
Reason for exemption from military service: Not meeting the educational requirements (attended junior high and high school abroad)
16. Comedian Yoon Jung Soo
Reason for exemption from military service: Difficulty in maintaining family’s livelihood
17. Lee Ha Neul (DJ DOC)
Reason for exemption from military service:Difficulty in maintaining family’s livelihood
18. MC, singer, songwriter Kim Jin Pyo
Reason for exemption from military service: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
19. Actor Park Sang Min
Reason for exemption from military service: Knee ligament rupture
20. Shin Hye Sung (Shinhwa)
Reason for exemption from military service: Knee ligament rupture
21. Singer Seo Taiji
Reason for exemption from military service: Not meeting the educational requirements, perforated stomach
22. Actor Park Hae Jin
Reason for exemption from military service: Depression
23. Comedian, MC Park Myung Soo
Reason for exemption from military service: Not meeting the requirements for eyesight
24. Comedian, MC Jung Jun Ha
Reason for exemption from military service: The only male heir in four generations
25. Actor Woo Hyun
Reason for exemption from military service: Having received a prison sentence when participating in the Gwangju Democracy Movement. So far, he is still respected by Korean audiences as “Saint” because of his great contribution to the country.
