One of the biggest K-pop groups of the last 15 years is Super Junior. Initially created back in 2005, they gained much of their fame in 2007 and 2008; a two-year stretch when they were one of the big three groups, along with Girls’ Generation and Wonder Girls. Now ten years later, Super Junior is still doing their thing, and they recently released their latest album, titled Devil . In June, several members of the group joined superstar singer-actress Park Shin Hye to promote South Korea’s Jeju Island as a fantastic vacation spot for international travelers.
With all these recent activities, it seems Super Junior is doing absolutely fine. However, the recent flurry of activity by Super Junior comes at a time when most of the group’s members are at the age when they are required to enlist in the South Korean military. Now, it is being reported that Choi Si Won, who goes by the name Siwon in Super Junior, must put aside his musical career to serve his country.
According to Soompi , SM Entertainment, the production house that owns Super Junior’s contract, has made it known that Siwon will be enlisting in the military later this year. This will happen when Si Won finishes his acting duties in the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) K-drama, She Was Pretty .
“Choi [Siwon] will enlist in the army after completing the MBC drama, She Was Pretty . But the exact date is yet to be confirmed.”
South Korea’s military uses conscription, or if you prefer, mandatory compulsory national service, to fill the ranks of the nation’s military. Every South Korean male between the ages of 18 to 35 must serve for two years. South Korea requires military service because they are technically still at war with North Korea, and dictator Kim Jong-un has 500,000 active duty troops and 4,500,000 reserve troops at his beck and call.
Siwon is the seventh member of Super Junior to enlist in the South Korean military, as reported by Kpop Herald. Super Junior members Kangin, Yesung, Heechul, and Leeteuk have already completed their service while Shindong and Sungmin are currently enlisted.
[Image via SM Entertainment/Adobe PS]
