Kai enlists in the military, 'a huge hit'

The entertainment industry was thrown into confusion by the news of EXO Kai's sudden enlistment. This is because the Military Manpower Administration interpreted the requirements for enlistment regulations differently. This is especially true for idols who are about to enlist this year. As the enlistment timing of EXO's Sehun and iKON member Kim Jin-hwan became unclear, their agencies were also put on alert. The military manpower administration's impact on the entertainment industry is expected to continue as the military enlistment schedule of idols scheduled to enlist next year changes drastically.

On the 3rd, SM Entertainment announced through its fan platform, "Kai will enter the Army Training Center on the 11th, receive basic military training, and then begin alternative service as a social worker."

Kai was preparing for his group EXO's full-length activities this year. However, he was enlisted due to a change in the Military Manpower Administration's enlistment provisions and regulations. According to the current enlistment regulations, a total of 5 ‘enlistment postponements’ are possible. In two of these cases, enlistment may be postponed for 'other reasons' for the purpose of entertainment activities. In the remaining three cases, illness, employment, etc. must be the reason for delaying enlistment.

SM Entertainment announced Kai's enlistment as a "sudden change in regulations from the Military Manpower Administration." On the other hand, an official from the Military Manpower Administration responded, "The relevant regulations have been in effect since 2010," and "Kai's enlistment is not a sudden change in regulations."

In the case of the Military Manpower Administration headquarters, only 2 out of 5 instances of postponement of enlistment due to entertainment activities are recognized. In the case of each local office, there has been a difference in interpretation because there is no legal enforcement. In other words, it was customary to allow up to five postponements of enlistment. According to the industry's claims, what suddenly changed was not a regulation but a 'difference in interpretation'.

Coinciding with the news of Kai's enlistment, attention was also drawn to the military service of male idols of the same age (born in 1994). Representatively, Sehun, a member of the same group as Kai, and Jinhwan Kim, a member of iKON, are facing mandatory military service.

Sehun was born in April 1994, so he had more time to enlist than Kai. However, if the Military Manpower Administration applies the same requirements to Sehun as Kai, the enlistment period could be accelerated. This means that there could be a case of 'sudden enlistment' like Kai's this year.

The same goes for Jinhwan Kim. Jinhwan Kim was born in February 1994, and if he cannot postpone his enlistment, he must enlist as soon as possible. His agency, 143 Entertainment, responded, “We have been discussing with the Military Manpower Administration about postponing enlistment,” and added, “We are urgently checking to see if the situation has changed (after the news of Kai’s enlistment).”

The Military Manpower Administration plans to apply the same standards to idols born in 1994 who are about to serve in the military. An official from the Military Manpower Administration said, “The principle is to follow the existing regulations,” and added, “We will continue to take action in accordance with the regulations in the future.” There are predictions in the industry that the mid- to long-term plans of each entertainment company will have to change due to the Military Manpower Administration's change in interpretation.

Reporter Junho Yoon, Ten Asia delo410@tenasia.co.kr