While getting ready to head to boot camp, Song Joong Ki, did more than pack a few personal possessions. He took the time to help a family in need.
Through a charitable organization for which the actor serves as a mentor, he and others were able to provide a home for a teenage girl that is working to keep her family together. The girl faced a long succession of hardships, including the death of her father, caring for a mentally ill brother and coping with an alcoholic mother. The girl's oldest brother works far away from home and she is the only one who keeps the family functioning.
When the family home was destroyed in a fire, they had no place to live. So the organization worked to provide a comfortable place for the family to live. They also furnished the home and helped the family move in. Altogether, the project was accomplished in 45 days. Song Joong Ki was one of more than 100 volunteers and 1,000 project sponsors that made the new home a reality.
The actor has in the past participated in various charity events and donated money to charitable causes that help those in need and benefit the environment. He is a member of FC Men, the charity soccer team that also includes JYJ's Junsu and actor-singer Kim Hyun Joong.
After accomplishing this final good deed, Song Joong Ki spent his last free day with his parents, who came from Daejun to Seoul to see him. Then he shaved his hair and reported for his two-year compulsory military duty on Tuesday, at the 102nd reserves in Chuncheon.
All eligible South Korean males, between 18 and 35 must enroll for between 21 and 24 months of military service. The length of time served depends on the military branch they serve in. Song is the first celebrity to join the army following a scandal that led to the end of the special status for celebrity military recruits. Previously many celebrities were enlisted as public relations agents, which gave them flexible schedules and special privileges. Recently a news crew filmed a few of those soldiers taking advantage of their privileges and the subsequent public uproar led to the elimination of the coveted celebrity recruit status.
Song Jong Ki is best known for his appearances on the SBS variety show "Running Man" and his roles in "Nice Guy" and "Sungkyunkwan Scandal." He recently appeared in the film "A Werewolf Boy."
