[Current & Culture] No More Reruns of Celebrity Military Service Scandals

Another celebrity military service scandal has erupted. Brokers have been arrested, and there are reports of active-duty doctors who contracted with them. Volleyball player Jo Jae-sung has already admitted to military service corruption, and Ravi, a rapper formerly of the popular idol group VIXX and also a CEO of an entertainment agency, is about to be summoned for investigation. Prosecutors and the Military Manpower Administration are currently conducting a large-scale investigation. We fervently hope that no other star’s name will appear on this ugly list.

Celebrity military service scandals overlap the entertainment and social news sections. Given the seriousness of the issue, the celebrities involved suffer significant damage. The most representative figure is Steve Yoo (Yu Seung-jun). He flaunted an incredible physique while portraying himself as a patriotic and upright young man, but he fled to the United States just before enlistment and was subsequently banned from entering Korea. Even though he is well over forty now and is seeking opportunities to return to the domestic entertainment industry, public sentiment remains cold.

Rapper and entertainer MC Mong was equally culpable. He was embroiled in allegations of receiving military exemption by having healthy teeth extracted and was expelled from the entertainment industry. Throughout the long trial process, he maintained an attitude of innocence. The final court ruling acquitted him of intentional tooth extraction to evade military service due to insufficient evidence, but he was found guilty of repeatedly postponing military service through brokers. The fact that he illegally obtained military exemption remains unchanged, and regardless of the court’s decision, he had already earned the humiliating nickname “Tooth Extraction Mong.”

Psy’s case is somewhat different. He obtained a certification as an Information Processing Technician and completed his military service as an industrial technical personnel in computer software development. However, it was revealed that he did not actually perform the assigned duties, and he was ordered to return to active duty. He appealed with a lawyer, but the appeal was rejected, and he eventually re-enlisted and completed his military service. This nightmare of re-enlistment, which many discharged men reportedly fear, became a reality for him. Since it happened long ago, he now sometimes uses it as self-deprecating humor in broadcasts and performances.

In the case of Ravi, who is currently under investigation, he boasts a muscular physique but reportedly backed down when it came time to enlist, reminiscent of Steve Yoo, and shares similarities with MC Mong in colluding with military service brokers. The joint investigation team suspects that Ravi lowered his physical grade to a level 4 supplementary service by applying for a re-examination claiming epilepsy, as orchestrated by the brokers. Ravi has been serving as a social service agent since last October, but according to the Military Service Act, if it is discovered that he evaded military service through false illness claims, he must undergo another physical examination and serve again, even if he has already served as supplementary service. So, if he goes to the military twice like Psy, will Ravi be pardoned? The author sees this as unlikely, but it is uncertain. One thing is clear: if he continues to deny it without taking such steps, his chances of returning to the entertainment industry will approach zero.

If the paths taken by Steve Yoo and MC Mong were roads of no return, Psy’s was a difficult road back. The best path is the one walked by BTS’s Jin and rapper Changmo, as well as countless celebrities like Ok Taec-yeon, Hyun Bin, and Lee Seung-gi. That is to complete military service honorably according to the law, just like any other citizen. That path is the shortest, fastest, and most comfortable. It is hoped that celebrities about to enlist will understand this. Just as there is no royal road to studying, there is no royal road to military service. But there is a wrong road.

Lee Jae-ik, Novelist