Actor Yoo Yeon Suk is one of the few celebrities who were able to complete their military training before being popular. What is his reason for enlisting early?
During the filming for SBS's "Healing Camp," Yoo Yeon Suk talked about his time in the military, and his reason for enlisting earlier that his peers.
As an actor, he made his debut it the highly-acclaimed film "Old Boy" as the younger counterpart of Yoo Ji Tae. The film was rated a success, rising the cast's popularity; however, unlike his fellow "Old Boy" cast mates, Yoo Yeon Suk remained virtually unknown.
He said, "After finishing the movie, the other actors were offered to star in other movies, but I didn't, and I stayed at school while acting in the theatre. Since everyone aside from me became successful, I decided to just enlist in the army."
He also gave his reason as to why he chose to enlist in the air force rather than regular service, despite the air force giving three extra months of training.
On this, he shared, "The house of my then-girlfriend was near the training center of the air force. Before I enlisted, we promised that she would always visit me, so I enlisted at the center near her; however, we still ended our relationship while I was in service."
He continued, "All of my goals and passion disappeared when I was in the military, but I just went through and endured despite the heartbreak and rejection."
Finally, he revealed, "Thinking about what happened now, I realize that I was able to portray the one-sided love of Chil Bong from 'Reply 1994' because of what happened to me back then."
Yoo Yeon Suk's appearance in "Healing Camp" airs on September 29.
Meanwhile, Yoo Yeon Suk is currently starring in the reality show "Friends Over Flowers" with his "Reply 1994" co-stars Son Ho Joon and B1A4's Baro.