The latest investigations into celebrity recruits and the recent scandal involving singer-actor Rain and singers Se7en and Sangchu of Mighty Mouth may affect the way Korean celebrities fulfill future military duty.
All Korean males between 18 and 35 are required to serve approximately two years of military duty but celebrity recruits often get a special deal. Many, instead of serving active duty, perform public relations duties in the Defense Media Agency. Since appearances and performances are part of their military duties, celebrity recruits are allowed more time off base. A few take advantage of that additional freedom to make some questionable choices.
That's what happened when Rain, Se7en and Sangchu were spotted dining and drinking when they were supposed to be on duty. Even worse, Se7en and Sangchu were later seen coming out of an adult massage parlor. Rain had already been criticized for taking time from his military duties to meet actress girlfriend Kim Tae Hee.
Not all celebrities abuse the privileges and a few actors don't even want to be celebrity recruits.
For example, actor Yoo Seung Ho, who starred in the dramas "Operation Baseball" and "Missing You" did not want to be a celebrity recruit and now serves as an assistant instructor in the training department.
Lee Seung Gi, star of "Gu Family Book," was recently quoted as saying that he wants to serve active duty rather than as a celebrity recruit.
His agency recently said that he is determined to undergo his national service as an ordinary soldier, not in the entertainment corps.
"Although the Defense Media Agency would like Lee Seung Gi to join the entertainment corps as well, he is most likely to undergo his service as an ordinary soldier," said a statement by his agency.
That might be good for his reputation, given the bad publicity celebrity recruits have gotten lately.
A recent televised report shocked many Korean viewers when it showed celebrity recruits abusing their special status by using their cell phones and wearing civilian clothes while on duty. In the report, a Defense Media Agency employee said there was a gym just for celebrity recruits plus a wide screen TV, PlayStation gaming consoles and snacks. Military public relations personnel were often asked to leave their computers so celebrity recruits could browse the Internet. Celebrity recruits did not address each other using the required military formalities.
Many recruits seem to think that military regulations did not concern them. According to the employee, the recruits often left base for indefinite amounts of time, with excuses like needing to get a haircut to maintain their style. Women employees at the agency complained of being treated like hostesses and having to accompany recruits when they went drinking.
The Defense Media Agency denied such accusations but viewers were shocked and their reaction is expected to have an effect on the way celebrity recruits are treated in the future.
