With Joo Won and Lee Min Ho joining the military this past week, I think it is the perfect time to take a moment and analyze the mandatory military service system and how it effects Kdrama Addicts. Join the Fangirls as they discuss their favorite actors forced into MS and who they are looking forward to coming out in the latest edition of The Fangirl’s Roundtable.
What are the negatives of military service?
CLKYTTA: So many of our favorite actors are leaving for the military this year and that’s a lot of talent gone from the acting pool, so I really hope that we don’t see a lot of pretty faces who can’t act taking roles. In the music scene we are losing half of Big Bang to the military this year since T.O.P has already gone and G-Dragon and Taeyang will go later this year. My little fangirl heart is super sad about that even though we just had an album from them and the members are working on individual projects.
Drama Geek: It’s so hard to say goodbye so much good talent. It would be easier if I knew they were all in a unit together, helping each other out, and being the best bromantic team ever. But that isn’t reality. (Well, anymore). I just worry about them and hope they are all safe while they’re gone.
KMUSE: I feel like there is a huge hole in my heart where all my favorite actors and singers should be. These are the actors and singers who were just starting their rise when I started watching & listening to Kpop and Kdramas which makes it all the harder. Thankfully, 2 years tend to go fast. If you think about it, it is only 10 full dramas worth of time. I can make it 10 dramas in a row without my biases…..maybe.
What are the positives of military service?
CLKYTTA: This is the time for some of our favorites to maybe move from supporting roles to lead. Can someone please please give Ji Soo a lead role? Also, this year Kyuhyun from Super Junior is supposed to enlist and that means that maybe we will finally see all the SUJU members release an album and have a tour in two years.
Drama Geek: I agree that some constant second leads might finally get a chance to shine and I’m looking forward to that. Also, we usually get a cluster of goodbye projects before they leave. There are a few who are currently doing their farewell project, like Ji Chang Wook and Joo Won, but a few others that I’m crossing my fingers will do one more before they go. I’m looking at you Kim Soo Hyun (no his movie coming out this summer doesn’t count).
KMUSE: I have to agree that I am enjoying some of the new actors getting a chance as leads. Not that they will be able to replace my favorites, but I do enjoy seeing talented actors get a chance at the limelight.
Military limbo for so many current stars
KMUSE: Know what is even worse than our khotties not going to do their military? Our Khotties being in military service limbo because they are currently having health issues. Seo In Guk, Jung Il Woo, & Yoo Ah In are all having illnesses that are keeping them from starting. Which sadly means that we have a possible long time without new dramas from three of our favorite actors.
Who will you miss the most?
KMUSE: Come on… you all know who I will miss the most. That is if he actually every goes. Seo In Guk will always be my #1, even if sadly has to be the #1 khottie I will miss the most.
CLKYTTA: I will miss G-Dragon the most, it seems like the world will be very bland with him out of the spotlight for a while.
Drama Geek: I think in Kpop it would be G-Dragon. At least Kmuse and I get to see him live before he goes away. Woot! In dramaland it’s Seo In Guk. Don’t get me wrong, Chang Wook will be missed, but I’ve skipped some of his projects so it’s easier to just pretend that he’s on a break. But with In Guk he’s been very active and I’ve loved almost every character he’s played. He also has a unique flare to his acting that I doubt will be present while he’s gone.
Which actor are you anticipating to have an epic comeback?
CLKYTTA: Oh this one is hard because so many strong actors are leaving! I’m going to say Ji Chang Wook. He is known for action roles and I’m pretty sure that when he is out of the military there will be many action scripts waiting for him
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Drama Geek: I think when G-Dragon gets back he will have 2 years of pent up music that he will unleash on the world. I can’t wait!
KMUSE: I am looking towards those coming home sooner than later, specifically the Super Junior members that are almost out. Siwon needs to come back and do a romantic comedy ASAP because he was the only thing that made She Was Pretty bearable. Not to mention, I would love some new Eunhyuk and Donghae music collaborations. To this day I still throw up Oppa Oppa or Motorcycle anytime I need to be cheered up. Such wonderful fluffy cheese.
Who has/will have the best post-military abs?
Drama Geek: Almost all the guys already have fabulous abs, but Lee Min Ho is who I think will show the biggest different. I’ve read in interviews he tends to do just enough to keep his body lean but doesn’t like to work out that much. Military life will change that, and he has the body structure that will reflect that work pretty well.
KMUSE: When I think post-military abs I instantly think of when Song Joong Ki came out and showed off his assets in Descendants of the Sun. Such a nice post-military surprise for his fans.
That ends our feelings about military service… at least until another of our biases heads out on their two-year hiatus. Who are you going to miss the most? Not to mention, who do you want to see shirtless as soon as they return? Leave your thoughts in the comments and be sure to check back for our next Kdrama Roundtable where we discuss all the new airing dramas.
Til next time,
The Fangirls
Shirtless or not, Seo In Guk always put me on fire whenever he’s out flashing what he’s done best; singing and acting. And I agreed with you KMuse and Drama Geek, Seo In Guk was the only actor that I will be totally miss and looking forward too! Nowadays I havent had a decent experience watching dramas, and find myself always repeating the same dramas over and over again. Seo In Guk certainly had this unique aura about him acting, and I hope this military thing will be over soon, because there is no way Kdramas could be the same without my previous Seo In Guk, 💜💜💜
High Five ✋🏻 ! I definitely also will ONLY miss Seo In-Guk …..
SIG is too talented & his charisma is too stunning to be ignored , there is no way to take your eyes/mind off him … the fans are really having a miserable time now
SIG will come back a bigger star than he is now, really looking forward to it !
Oh yes he definitely will come back and definitely be a bigger star! And high 5 to you too! 💜💜💜
I agree, I will only miss Seo In Guk! ❤️ He alone has captured my heart forever!!
You know, I kind of like older actors and musicians who’ve already had the sense to get their military service out of the way like Kim Jong-wan from NELL and Lee Sun Gyun (Pasta) or even Park Ki Woong. Two years – yeah, not too bad.
I do feel bad for those men who are unable to start or fully serve their duty. The military seems pretty harsh on people with preexisting injuries – probably because of some notable fake-outs of military service – but that makes it that much harder on the rest.
The rapper Swings had to leave his tour because of problems with his medicines for obsessive compulsive disorder, stress, and depression – but then could not work during the time remaining in the two-year portion. I hope he saved his money. I understand that military service is very important but so is staying healthy.
I already miss SIG and will definitely miss Ji Chang Wook and Yoo Ah In when they go. I just hope Yoo Ah In and SIG can get their health issues resolved so they can serve their military time without issues. Even if SIG ends up not doing the full two years, I highly doubt we’ll see him back before he was supposed to be released from MS. To much backlash if he returns early.
ha ha.. I’m more shocked by Kmuse’s intended drama watching schedule. Only 10 dramas in 2 years? TWO years?
10 dramas is like a 6 month goal for me … said the drama addict with zero social life.
🙂
I’m still processing the temp loss of T.O.P and will try to ignore GD and Taeyang leaving. However, i think time moves differently in hallyu b/ c two years seem to fly by!
Side bar: was that Siwon (who needs to get back to work asap) as the blonde “girl” in the video??
I will watch More than that is course, but you would have around 10 to 12 dramas airing on one station in a row in 2 years.
Will miss Seo In Guk the most, no…. I already miss him 😢😢…. what makes it worst is he already out of my radar and be a cave man since january but still doesnt even start MS, which is make me a looong waaayy to wait…. 😟😟
This blog is basically Seo In Guk’s fans lair xD
And I’m really happy reading all of these fans comments because usually i rarely see Seo In Guk’s fans anywhere.
Be sure to look for our upcoming seo in guk themed podcast in late July or early august. We will be discussing his best kisses.