All Korean males, ages 18 to 35, must serve two years of mandatory military duty. Many actors must fulfill this duty at the height of their career. This can mean they face tough competition from younger actors who have become big names while they are gone.
Two k-drama actors will finish their military duty this year and are already looking for their first comeback project.
Both Yoo Seung Ho and Lee Je Hoon enlisted in 2012 and are almost done with their mandatory service. Lee Je Hoon will be done this month and Yoo Seung Ho will be discharged in December. Lee Je Hoon has already chosen his comeback project.
Many actors choose to wait until they are around 30 so they can act in as many dramas as possible while they are still in their 20s. Two years is a long time to be out of commission when you are an actor.
Yoo Seung Ho was an exception to that rule. He enlisted at the age of 19, shortly after playing the controlling Kang Hyung Joon in the popular drama "Missing You." He also rejected any publicity surrounding his enlistment and after finishing basic training served in an assistant instructor position in the 27th District Recruit Training Center. He has not yet chosen a comeback role but is considering offers.
As Lee Je Hoon is being discharged this month he already has a drama in his sights. The actor, who served with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency riot police, is best known for his film work, having appeared as a college student in "Architecture 101" and winning a rookie award for his work in "Bleak Night." But he will make his comeback with a film role, appearing in "Detective Hong Gil Dong." The film mixes the famous Korean folktale of Hong Gil Dong with the detective genre."Secret Door." He previously starred in the dramas "Fashion King" and "Three Sisters."
While these actors have been serving military duty, several other young actors have become popular enough to serve as serious competition. Kim Woo Bin, Lee Jong Suk and Kim Soo Hyun have a much bigger fan base and will be their competition for prime roles.
But Lee Je Hoon, 30, already has a role lined up. And Yoo Seung Hoo still has the rest of his 20s to catch up. If his performance in "Missing You" is any indication of what lies ahead, he will have no problem finding a suitable comeback role. Also, Park Shin Hye recently expressed interest in appearing in a drama with him. Casting directors take note!
