Singer-actor Kim Hyun Joong has faced considerable controversy in the last week and now he has a new reason to be in the headlines. Korea's "TV Report" recently announced that he received his enlistment notice for Oct. 10 but that he wants to postpone his enlistment date.
According to his agency, KeyEast Entertainment, "We are currently trying to receive confirmation on the news regarding Kim Hyun Joong's military service postponement. Nothing has actually been confirmed yet."
Kim is reportedly postponing enlistment due to world tour activities but he must also soon report to the police to provide testimony in an alleged abuse case against him.
The star of "Inspiring Generation," "Playful Kiss" and "Boys Over Flowers" is currently on the "2014 Kim Hyun Joong World Tour" which takes him to Thailand, China, Peru, Mexico and Japan, with a final stop in Beijing. The tour includes concerts and fan meetings.
However, it is also expected that he will soon visit the Songpa Police station to counter the abuse charges that have been filed against him by a former girlfriend. The woman known as "A" says that they dated for two years and that he assaulted her on two separate occasions, both of which required medical treatment. His agency said that her charges were exaggerated and that the couple only recently started dating.
However texts disprove at least part of their statement, showing that the couple had dated for two years and that their relationship was serious.
Photographs revealed to the Dispatch show that the woman suffered bruises on her left shoulder joint as well as her chest, arms, hip and face. However, except for her testimony and vague texts there is no evidence to show that Kim Hyun Joong was responsible for the bruises or the rib fracture she later reported.
"A" has given her side of the story and the police will now summon Kim Hyun Joong for questioning. It is expected that his testimony will take place early in Sept.
According to Key East, Kim Hyun Joong will cooperate fully with the police. Until then, they cautioned, no one should rush to judgment.
Even though the singer-actor is trying to defer his enlistment, netizen comments were divided on whether fulfilling his mandatory military service might serve as an opportunity to take a break from the career-damaging controversy.
One netizen comment said that k-celebs often go into the army after committing a crime, indicating that enlistment might serve as positive PR for a scandal-damaged career.
Another netizen said, "Does he think enlisting will put an end to this?"
