More And More K-Pop Idols Leave Their Groups For Compulsory Military Service, Fearing End Of Career Amid Competitive Music Industry
Last month, SM Entertainment confirmed enlistment dates of a number of artists who will be starting their military services this year. The mandatory military service is a requisite for all able-bodied South Korean men.
Super Junior's Choi Siwon, Eunhyuk and Donghae initially announced that they will be leaving the group temporarily to comply with the mandatory military service during their recent Japan concert.
Eunhyuk and Donghae had their last performance at the 2015 Gangnam K-Pop Festival last October 4 before they were enlisted last October 13 and 15 respectively.
Manila Bulletin reported on Friday that the two members of Super Junior have already started their military service. Prior to he entered the training site, Eunhyuk thank his fans and says he will be back after his military service.
"Thank you for coming all this way in the cold," Eunhyuk says. As a Korean man, I will faithfully fulfill my military duties and return. I will fulfill my military service well during the year and nine months. I love you, and thank you for cheering me on."
He was enlisted at the 102nd Reserve Forces in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. Meanwhile, other K-pop artists including TVXQ's Changmin will also be enlisted on November 19.
Meanwhile, a K-pop artist, who refused to be named, says he fears of coming back from the military service and discover that his career has already ended, Yonhap News Agency forecasted on the same day.
"It is really painful to be in the military while being away from fans," the K-pop artist says.
He goes on, "I am almost obsessed with fears that I won't be able to make a successful comeback in the cutthroat industry, competing with young and powerful rookies."
Other K-pop artists sure feel the same thing and fear about losing the limelight in an instant. The same thing happened to South Korean singer-actor Yoo Seung Jun, who used to be a K-pop sensation during his time.
Yoo was banned to enter South Korea after he allegedly evaded the mandatory military service 13 years ago. His career ended in swift in 2002 following his renouncement of his Korean citizenship prior to his enlistment.
