Kim Hyun Joong has received a draft notice and is considering whether to enlist in the army. According to an article in the Korea Herald, the singer-actor is scheduled to report for his two-year mandatory military duty on March 31.
The Korean media outlet reported that the 28-year-old entertainer is due to report to the 9th Army Batallion in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
However, his agency, Key East Entertainment says that this information has not been confirmed.
"It is true that Kim was called up for duty," said the Key East representative. "But he is considering postponing his enlistment due to his personal circumstances."
But the agency also said that whatever he decides, they would not announce his enlistment date publicly, as he wanted to keep a low profile. He would enlist quietly. Keeping a low profile may be difficult for Kim, if not impossible, as the singer is still dealing with the repercussions of his latest and biggest scandal.
In August 2014, a woman identified only by her surname Choi, accused Kim of physically abusing her on multiple occasions. He denied the charges at first but then admitted to one fight in which he became violent. Choi asked for an apology, which Kim supplied. Choi dropped the charges but Kim was prosecuted on the one charge that he admitted to and paid a fine of $4,600.
That seemed like it would be the end of the case but the couple apparently reconciled and dated each other through December 2014. In February, Choi revealed that she was pregnant with Kim Hyun Joong's child. This led to some contentious interactions between both families.
In texts revealed by Choi, the couple discussed arrangements for the child, with Kim noting that he would soon be called away to military duty and would not be around to help for the next two years.
Kim Hyun Joong previously received an enlistment notice asking him to report for duty on Oct. 7, 2014. He postponed enlisting at that time because he was committed to the "Fantasy" world tour concert.
Kim Hyun Joong is best known as the main rapper of the band SS501 and for his acting roles in dramas such as "Boys Over Flowers," "Playful Kiss," and "Inspiring Generation."
If Kim does enlist now, at least he will be doing so in the company of his close friend, singer-actor Kim Jae Joong, who also begins his military duty on March 31. All South Korean men between 18 and 35 are required to serve in the military for 21 months.
