Choi Jin Hyuk has injured his knee while serving his mandatory military duty. The injury was so significant that Choi required surgery, from which he is currently recovering.
According to a report in the Korean media outlet Naver TV, Choi had already finished his five weeks of basic training and was serving as an active duty soldier when the injury happened.
His agency, Red Brick House, stated that the problems with his knee pre-date his enlistment. Then Choi injured his knee again during military drills and it continued to cause him pain. Knee injuries tend to recur and may require corrective surgery.
"Choi Jin Hyuk suffered a knee injury during training," said the Red House representative. "He went to the hospital to get his knee treated. However, he was told that he needed surgery so he received surgery last week. He is currently receiving treatment at a hospital."
There is no word on how long Choi Jin Hyuk can expect to be hospitalized or whether he will be able to resume active duty.
"Even before entering the military, his knee was not in the best condition," said the Red Brick representative. "It is unfortunate that we have to share news of his injury when he had been participating in military life in a positive fashion. We hope he will recover and return to his military service soon."
Choi had the option of enlisting in the promotional unit of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. However, he declined to accept this special enlistment term, which would have been less physically demanding, and chose instead to serve his mandatory enlistment in active duty.
National Defense Ministry rules state that an injured soldier can take medical leave of up to one month with possible extensions depending on the patient's condition.
Choi is currently one of several k-drama actors serving his mandatory military duty. The other enlisted actors include JYJ's Kim Jae Joong, actor Park Ji Bin, and singer and actor Kim Hyun Joong.
Choi enlisted on March 31, 2015 and will not be discharged until the end of December 2016. Before enlisting Choi embarked on an Asian fan meeting tour, which included a Lunar New Year appearance in Taiwan. The tour followed his success in the 2014 dramas "Emergency Couple" and "Fated to Love You."
