Times When Health Issues Led These Top Korean Celebrities Into Supplementary Military Service
With the recent surprising and concerning news of Kim Woo Seok’s change in military service status, netizens are revisiting times when other famous celebrities had to be reassigned positions in the military due to health issues.
Kim Woo Seok
Actor Kim Woo Seok, who was serving in active duty, was reassigned to supplementary service due to health problems.
On the 5th of July, Kim Woo Seok’s agency stated, “Kim Woo Seok, who enlisted in the army as an active-duty soldier in April 2023, was diagnosed with radiculopathy due to lumbar disc herniation, a condition he had been suffering from before enlistment.”
They continued, “Despite receiving continuous treatment while serving, his condition did not improve and worsened to the point where he could not perform daily activities or training. After undergoing the prescribed evaluation procedures, he was deemed unfit for active duty and was ultimately reassigned to supplementary service as a social service agent.”
Kim Woo Seok enlisted as an active-duty soldier in April of 2023 and was scheduled to be discharged on October 3rd but was reassigned to supplementary service.
Before enlisting, Kim Woo Seok expressed his wish for good health in an interview, saying, “My hope for this year is to be healthy. I hope to stay well, enlist, discharge, and meet you all in a better condition,” making the news of his reassignment even more unfortunate.
Taemin
SHINee’s Taemin was also reassigned to supplementary service due to symptoms of depression and panic disorder during his military service.
Taemin, who enlisted in the army band in May 2021, was reassigned to supplementary service in January 2022.
At the time, Taemin’s agency SM Entertainment explained, “Taemin has been receiving continuous treatment and counseling for depression and panic disorder, which he had been suffering from before enlistment, but his symptoms recently worsened, making it impossible for him to continue his military service and treatment simultaneously. As a result, he was reassigned to supplementary service.”
They added, “Taemin will fulfill his military duty as a social service agent.”
Taemin was initially scheduled to be discharged in November 2022, but with the reassignment, his discharge date was delayed, and he was discharged in April of last year.
After his discharge, Taemin returned to fans in good health through a social media live broadcast.
Taemin said, “I gained quite a bit of weight, right? I came to meet you after a long time. I thought it would be nice to have a place to communicate with you, so I came right after it ended.”
Seul Ong
2AM member and actor Lim Seul Ong was also reassigned to supplementary service.
Lim Seul Ong, who enlisted as an active-duty soldier in November 2017, was reassigned to supplementary service after four months due to health reasons.
At the time, Lim Seul Ong’s agency SidusHQ stated, “Lim Seul Ong has been suffering from pain near his ribs since before his debut and was diagnosed with the rare rib nerve disorder known as ’12th rib syndrome’ in 2011.”
They continued, “This condition requires ongoing medication, and he has been receiving continuous treatment for the past seven years while continuing his activities. However, after enlisting and undergoing training, his symptoms worsened. Based on the military’s judgment and measures, he was reassigned to supplementary service while serving as an active-duty soldier.”
Source: (A)
