‘Boys Over Flowers’ Actor Kim Bum Talks About Genetic Illness Ahead Of Military Enlistment

K-drama actor Kim Bum has finally talked about why can't serve as an active duty soldier. Kim opened up about his hereditary illness before he began his enlistment in the military.

In his last interview before he got enlisted, the Boys Over Flowers actor talked about the illness which disqualified him from serving as an active duty soldier. He revealed that he has been receiving treatment for the ailment for a long time. However, he did not specifically reveal what kind of illness he is suffering from.

"I'm enlisting at an older age and it's a duty that I must fulfill. I've been going to the hospital and receiving treatments for a long time while taking breaks from projects. I need to continue going to the hospital in the future as well," Kim told High Cut Magazine (via AllKpop) about his enlistment and illness.

The K-drama star had begun his two-year mandatory military service as a public service worker on April 26. He will be discharged in May 2019.

Kim Bum's agency King Kong Entertainment confirmed that the actor has been receiving treatment regularly for a genetic disease that emerged in his early 20s. The company said Kim has been managing his health through the treatments, medicine, and regular workouts.

Kim Bum was earlier slammed for getting an exemption from actively serving in the military. Some netizens are disappointed that many Korean stars are now serving as public service workers instead of being soldiers. Most of them claimed that Kim's illness wasn't serious enough for him to become an exception.

"Why are all celebrities considered disabled when it comes to military enlistment?" a fan commented in a forum. "Male celebrities with good bodies are like hawks but they all end up serving as public service workers," another netizen said.

King Kong Entertainment earlier stated that they could not divulge Kim's illness because it is "a personal issue." There were earlier reports, however, that Kim Bum is suffering from degenerative arthritis, which requires constant medical attention.

Kim Bum is not the first Korean celebrity who got exempted from serving as an active-duty soldier. His friends and fellow actors Lee Min Ho and Jung Il Woo also worked as public office workers because of health reasons. Big Bang's T.O.P, Lee Joon, and Seulong are also serving through the alternative military service instead of active-duty soldiers due to personal reasons.

Meanwhile, Kim Bum began his public service work a month after his agency and actress Oh Yeon Seo's agency confirmed that the two Korean stars are in a relationship. The couple first met in a gathering of a close mutual friend. Kim and the My Sassy Girl actress eventually developed a romantic relationship.

Kim Bum rose to success in KBS romantic comedy Boys Over Flowers. His other notable K-drama series include Padam Padam, Hidden Identity, Goddess of Fire, and Mrs. Cop 2. The Hallyu actor recently appeared in the Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead movie.