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Korean artists scheduled to return from mandatory military service in 2017
If you are a member of Korean fandom, here is the list of actors and idols who are scheduled to be discharged from their service in 2017 to your delight.
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Actor-singer Lee Seung-gi has been serving in the military since February last year and is expected to return in October. (Lee Seung-gi's official website via Antara/File)
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ending off beloved Korean artists to mandatory military service is traditionally regarded as something sad for fans of Korean entertainment, as they would not be able to see their idols or favorite actors for around two years. The feeling is usually mutual, as fates of the idols post-military service is usually uncertain after two years out of the spotlight.
However, there are also cases of artists becoming even more successful after returning from service, with Song Joong-ki’s success in the Descendants of the Sun as an example.
If you are a member of Korean fandom, here is the list of actors and idols who are scheduled to be discharged from their service in 2017 to your delight.
(Read also: The era of single eyelids in Korean industry)
Kim Hyun-joong
The singer-actor who has been serving in the military since May 2015 is going to be discharged in February.
According to Antara, Kim’s return would probably pique the media and public’s interest once again as the lawsuit between him and his ex-girlfriend has yet to meet a closure.
TVXQ’s Yunho and Changmin
Jung Yunho, also known as U-Know Yunho from the second generation K-pop idol group TVXQ, has been serving as an active duty soldier and is expected to return in April.
Meanwhile, the younger member, Shim ‘Max’ Chang-min, will reportedly return from his police officer post in August.
Fans are curious to see the two’s comeback after their latest record, ‘Rise as God’, was released prior to the start of their mandatory service in 2015.
(Read also: ‘Running Man’ is going to have ‘Member’s week’)
Super Junior’s Eunhyuk and Donghae
Two Super Junior members, Donghae and Eunhyuk, who are also known via the sub-unit Super Junior D&E, are also set to return soon.
Eunhyuk, the dancer and rapper who has been serving as an active duty soldier since October 2015, is scheduled to return in July. Donghae, the singer and dancer who started his service as a police officer two days after Eunhyuk is also slated to return in the same month.
Super Junior’s Choi Si-won
Choi Si-won, idol and actor from group Super Junior who started his mandatory service as a police officer together with Shim Chang-min in November 2015, is set to return in August.
Prior to his service, Choi had just starred in the drama She Was Pretty and gained fame through his comical role as Kim Shin-hyuk.
(Read also: South Korea's suicide rate triples in 25 years)
JYJ’s Park Yoo-chun
Park Yoo-chun, who is serving as a police officer, is scheduled to return in August.
In recent years, Park, whose last project prior to mandatory military service was as detective Choi Moo-gak in the drama The Girl Who Sees Smells, is embroiled in sexual assault allegations.
Lee Seung-gi
Actor-singer Lee Seung-gi has been serving in the military since February last year and is expected to return in October.
Prior to starting his mandatory military service, Lee had released a single titled "I’m Going to The Military". (mas/asw)
