BTS members RM and V will start their military training on December 11. They will undergo basic military training at the Nonsan Army Training Center in Chungnam, South Korea, before beginning their active-duty service in the army.
It’s important to note that compulsory military service in South Korea can be exempted under certain criteria, and many Korean stars and idols have been granted exemptions.
Korean actors and idols exempted from military service
1. Suga
Suga of BTS began alternative military service on September 22, 2023, exempting him from combat duties.
In South Korea, mandatory military service for men under 30 is typically two years, but those with health issues serve in government agencies and institutes.
Suga’s exemption from combat duties is speculated to be linked to a 2020 surgery for a torn shoulder labrum, a thick tissue attached to the shoulder socket’s edge that helps stabilize the joint’s ball.
2. Kim Woo Bin
Despite facing nasopharyngeal cancer in 2017 and successfully completing treatment, Kim Woo-bin received an exemption from military service. Born on July 16, 1989, he is a South Korean actor and model known for his roles in various movies and dramas.
3. Ahn Hyo Seop
The actor from the popular K-drama “Business Proposal” moved to Canada at the age of seven, and his Canadian citizenship exempted him from mandatory military service.
4. Park Hae Jin
Park Hae-jin, a renowned South Korean actor, faced criticism for appearing to evade military service. However, he received an exemption in 2004 due to a long-standing mental disorder.
5. Seo In Guk
Seo In-guk, a South Korean singer-songwriter and actor, enlisted in the military in 2017 but served only four days due to a bone and cartilage condition called Osteochondritis dissecans.
6. Jo Jung Suk
Jo Jung-suk, a South Korean actor, earned a military exemption due to being the sole financial provider for his mother after his father’s death.
7. Woo Hyun
Actor Woo Hyun, known for “Alchemy of Souls,” served prison time for participating in the Gwangju Democracy Movement. As recognition of his contribution to the country, he was granted a military exemption.
While military service is mandatory for men in Korea, specific criteria can exempt them. Currently, members RM and V from the popular boy band BTS have begun their military training, and fans are eagerly anticipating their return in 2025.
Criteria under which military service can be exempted
1. Medical conditions: Severe health issues or disabilities may exempt individuals from service, including physical or mental health conditions.
2. Athletes and artists: Exceptional individuals in sports or the arts might be eligible for exemptions or alternative service.
3. High-level professionals: Individuals with expertise in fields crucial to national interests may be considered for exemptions or alternative service.
4. Sole breadwinners: Individuals solely providing for their families may qualify for alternative service.
5. Multiple siblings: Families with multiple members in the military or those who have lost a family member during military service may be considered for exemptions or alternative service.
6. Conscientious objectors: While military service is mandatory, conscientious objectors might be allowed to perform alternative service, like civil service. Until recently, South Korea did not allow conscientious objection.
On November 1, 2018, the South Korean Supreme Court officially approved conscientious objection as a valid reason to reject compulsory military service.
