SM stated ‘regulation change’ as the reason for Kai’s enlistment, but the Military Manpower Administration denied it? Why?
SM announced EXO Kai’s sudden enlistment due to the change in regulations but the Military Manpower Administration made a different statement.
Earlier on May 3rd, Kai’s agency SM Entertainment released an announcement on its official fan community, saying “We would like to inform you of Kai’s sudden military enlistment”, adding “Kai was preparing for EXO’s comeback scheduled for this year, but due to a recent change in regulations of the Military Manpower Administration, he is set to enter the army recruit training center on May 11th. He will serve as a public service worker after receiving basic military training”.
The agency continued, “We respect Kai’s intention to enlist quietly, so we will not disclose the location and time of his enlistment. There will be no separate event that day and we ask for your understanding”, adding “We will inform you of EXO’s upcoming album schedule as soon as it is reorganized”.
Following the military discharge of Baekhyun recently, EXO was planning to make a comeback as a whole group for the first time in a while, but Kai’s sudden enlistment has disrupted the group’s activities.
Receiving the enlistment notice just a week before his official enlist date, Kai also expressed his feelings to fans through an Instagram live broadcast.
Appearing with a black hat pulled down over his head on the live broadcast, Kai tearfully shared, “I’m going to the military. You always told me not to wear cargo hats or pants, but I’m going to enlist.” He then reassured fans, saying, “I had planned many things, and it would have been better if I could have done more. But time flies, isn’t it? Time will pass by quickly this time too.”
Kai confessed, “I actually prepared lots of things, but I’m sad that I cannot do them all. I’m sad but I can show them all to you all after coming back”, adding “I wish I could see your faces before I go. I will miss you all. I’m missing you all even at this moment.”
However, the Military Manpower Administration issued a different position from SM Entertainment’s announcement.
A spokesman from the Military Manpower Administration said to Daily Sports on May 4th, saying “SM used the word ‘recent’ in their notice, but nothing has been newly revised regarding the military service regulations”.
They explained, “Everyone, including celebrities, can postpone their enlistment up to 5 times (within 2 years). In addition, for those who have to delay their enlistment date due to ‘other unavoidable circumstances’, they can postpone it within three months.”
According to the current Military Service Act and Enforcement Decree of the Military Service Act, military service can be postponed for up to two years due to reasons, such as illness, physical or mental disabilities, a family member’s severe illness or death, taking an entrance exam for school, or other unavoidable circumstances.
The number of postponements and the length of each postponement are determined by the head of the Military Manpower Administration, and currently, they still allow up to five postponements. For K-pop idol group members, their entertainment activities fall under the category of “other unavoidable circumstances”, and the Military Manpower Administration sometimes interpreted the regulations more flexibly in the past.
However, in recent years, the regulations have been applied more strictly, leading to the possibility that SM Entertainment might have misunderstood this as a change in regulations.
Meanwhile, Kai debuted as a member of EXO in 2012 and has just completed the promotion for his solo album “Rover” last month.
Source: Wikitree
