Kpop and K-Dramas fans who are completely interested in the personal lives of their favorite idols and actors are familiar with enlistment in the South Korean military once they turn 18 years old. However, there are great exceptions to the rule, just like these 5 Kpop idols and celebrities who didn’t enlist in the South Korean military.
Jo Jung Suk’s reason why he didn’t enlist in the army is completely heartbreaking. Jo Jung Suk’s father passed away in 2000, so he was granted an exemption from the military to provide for his mother. On top of that, the South Korean actor also had to quit school during this time to earn money.
NCT’s Ten is a well-known case because of his infamous severe knee pain, the idol had surgery in 2017. However, the idol wasn’t able to enlist in the army because of his injury and ultimately, he got an exemption from the Thai military.
GOT7’s BamBam’s exemption from the military is one of the luckiest stories ever told. The idol didn’t have to join the South Korean military because of the number of volunteers that filled up the remaining spots needed during the military lottery draw.
Son Heung Min is also a well-known exemption case. The celebrity won the gold medal in men’s football at the 2018 Asian Games. The South Korean military gives exemptions to the athletes who win a gold medal at the Asia Games.
SEVENTEEN’s S.Coups tore his ACL back in August 2023 and required a long rehabilitation and recovery. Ultimately, the idol was exempted from the military because he received a Grade 5 rating during his health check.
