Seo In Guk Apologizes For Military Enlistment Controversy

[juhli.livejournal.com]

On September 28, a press conference was held for the new tvN drama “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes”. During the event, Seo In Guk addressed his controversy from 2017. As the actors introduced their characters and roles in the drama, Seo In Guk stood up from his seat to apologize directly for the incident.

He questioned, “May I stand up to say something?” and stated, “First, I want to thank the reporters for attending this press conference, and before we begin, I’d like to apologize for causing trouble until now. With a good image and good acting, I will take in the role of Kim Moo Young.”

A year ago, a media outlet had reported that Seo In Guk knew of his medical condition (osteochondral lesions) — which is grounds for exemption from military service — well ahead of time, but enlisted anyway. The report suggested that despite knowing of the condition as early as March 2015, Seo In Guk did not take any treatment measures (OP note: SIG clarified in a prior letter to fans that he received a recommendation of surgery for the painful area and was simultaneously undergoing pain treatments. Read more). He then enlisted in March 2017, but was promptly ordered to receive a re-examination. Ultimately, he was exempted from duty.

Jellyfish Entertainment then issued an official statement denying these reports and apologized for causing concern regarding his military service.

Source: Naver via soompi

The comments under the Naver article are not good... We will see how the ratings will be >.<

Comments

[keytfelt.livejournal.com]

I knew the bad comments were coming but :(. He's one of my favorite actors so I'm happy he's in a new drama but I would have preferred him to lay low through the duration of when he would have been in the military and come back next year. I just hate that this is going to follow him forever.

[a-suitcase.livejournal.com]

Wait, so what's the controversy? That he wanted to enlist despite a medical condition? Why would that get him in trouble?

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

same. it seems that one can't really win when it comes to military in korea, netizens will give you shit for not enlisting even if you're dying.

[juhli.livejournal.com]

The controversy is that he knew about his condition well beforehand and people are angry that he supposedly didn't actively work to improve his health in order to join active duty.

Thing is, he passed the physical examination before, so he thought he was fit for duty even with his condition. He delayed his enlistment partly because of work and partly because he was getting pain treatment for his condition.

It seems like he got used to his condition and the pain/discomfort, so he didn't think it was so bad that he couldn't do active duty with it, so he didn't do a second check-up before he enlisted.

[trowa.livejournal.com]

so he actually legitimately had a medical condition preventing him from serving and he gets dragged, while the sons of polititians and chaebols get exempted with falsified illness and nothing happens?

[towel-oppa.livejournal.com]

I hope that the drama will do well and people forget about his controversy... He is so talented and one of my fave so good luck 🙆