Giving Up Citizenship to Join Military Service, These 5 K-Pop Celebrities Are Willing to Become Korean Citizens

Kapanlagi.com - Article written by: Alvionita Aqila

Military service is mandatory for all male South Korean citizens, including artists. Of course, for foreign male artists or idols, they do not have to do military service even if they are active and living in Korea.

In the world of South Korean entertainment, it is known for its artists who come from various countries, not only from South Korea. Like many K-Pop idols who come from Japan, China, Thailand, America, and even Indonesia.

However, there are some K-Pop artists who are willing to change their foreign citizenship to become Korean citizens in order to join mandatory military service. Curious who they are? Let's check them out below!

1. Andy SHINHWA

credit: instagram.com/andyofficial_

Lee Sun Ho, also known as Andy Lee, is a singer, rapper, and the youngest member of the first generation K-Pop boy group, SHINHWA. Andy was born in South Korea but grew up in California, USA and returned to Seoul during high school to pursue a career as a singer.

He settled in South Korea and successfully debuted with SHINHWA in 1998. In order to participate in mandatory military service, Andy gave up his foreign citizenship and took an equivalency test because his foreign education was not recognized by the South Korean government to join the military. Andy also decided to give up his permanent residency in the US so that he could enlist in the military.

2. Yeon Jung Hoon

credit: instagram.com//jeffyoun

Yeon Jung Hoon is an actor and member of the South Korean variety show, 2 Days and 1 Night. The husband of actress Han Ga in was actually born in South Korea but was sent by his parents to live and study in the United States until college.

Then in 1998, Yeon Jung Hoon returned to South Korea to pursue his career as an actor. The star of the drama My Healing Love gave up his foreign citizenship to become a Korean citizen so that he could participate in mandatory military service.

3. Taecyeon 2PM

credit: instagram.com/taecyeonokay

When talking about South Korean artists who renounced their foreign citizenship to join mandatory military service, the first person that comes to mind is Ok Taecyeon. This member of the 2PM boy group was born in South Korea but moved to the United States with his family when he was still young.

At the age of 17, Taecyeon returned to Korea and joined JYP Entertainment. Although he grew up in America, in 2010 Taecyeon willingly renounced his foreign citizenship to be able to register for mandatory military service in South Korea.

4. Bernard Park

credit: instagram.com/bernardpark

Bernard Park, also known as Nakjoon, is a singer who was born and raised in Georgia, United States until college. However, at the age of 17, he went to South Korea to pursue a career and audition for the third season of KPop Star.

Although he holds American citizenship, Bernard Park decided to enlist in the military. In December 2018, he officially renounced his foreign citizenship and served in the South Korean military as an active soldier.

5. Park Eun Seok

credit: instagram.com/_____silverstone_____

Park Eun Seok is known for his role as Logan Lee in the drama The Penthouse. Born on February 10, 1984, he spent most of his life in the United States. He grew up and lived there until his 20s, when he moved to South Korea.

Park Eun Seok revealed that at the time, he wanted to pursue an acting career in South Korea. However, he did not speak Korean at the time. Therefore, he renounced his foreign citizenship and served in the South Korean military for two years to improve his language skills and understanding of South Korean culture.

(kpl/mag)