Ravi controversy reignites the entertainment industry's history of avoiding military service

《Yoon Jun-ho's Rebirth》

Reporter Junho Yoon of Ten Asia introduces trends in the entertainment industry. We look at the culture, fashion, and past works of celebrities across the entertainment industry and discuss fun and interesting aspects. Let's look back at what the heightened needs of viewers are from the perspective of the MZ generation and what made it popular or uncomfortable with the public.

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Ravi left the group VIXX. This was shortly after he was sentenced to two years in prison on charges of evading military service on the 11th. Ravi confesses that it was a wrong choice. There are signs that the struggle to avoid going to the military will end in tragedy, such as being kicked out of the entertainment industry.

Ravi was diagnosed with a level 3 physical condition in 2012 due to bronchial asthma. Afterwards, in 2019, he received a grade 4 through a second physical examination. Immediately after meeting Mr. Koo, in March 2021, he attempted to obtain a level 5 exemption due to false epilepsy. During this process, Ravi acted like fainting and made a false report to 119. In the end, on this day, he submitted false epilepsy certificates to the Military Manpower Administration through brokers Mr. Gu and Mr. Kim, and appeared at the final trial on charges of military service reduction.

Attempts to exempt people from military service like Ravi's have been repeated like a chronic disease in the entertainment industry. Actors Jang Hyuk, Song Seung-heon, Han Jae-seok, rapper MC Mong, 'Beautiful Young Man' Yoo Seung-jun, and even Ravi have left their names in the entertainment industry's military service corruption.

Song Seung-heon, Jang Hyuk, and Han Jae-seok were exempted from military service by mixing protein-based drugs in urine tests or injecting liquid mixed with their own blood into the urethra. Afterwards, when the wrongdoing was revealed, Song Seung-heon and Jang Hyuk were sentenced to active duty and Han Jae-seok to supplementary duty after a re-examination.

MC Mong was suspected of being exempted from military service by intentionally extracting a tooth. Although he still claims innocence, the public remembers him as a 'military service corruption celebrity'. This is why it is difficult to find MC Mong's name in the media even after more than 10 years.

Steve Yoo (Yoo Seung-jun) is unable to set foot on Korean soil due to military service corruption. In 2002, Yoo Seung-jun's popularity was sky-high. He renounced his Korean citizenship and acquired American citizenship. The public was angry at Yoo Seung-jun's actions, and he was banned from entering Korea under the Immigration Control Act.

This is because there was widespread concern that he would suffer a decline in popularity as a celebrity while completing military service. There were many celebrities who attempted to structurally exempt themselves from name recognition by involving brokers and others. Entertainment industry insiders explain that because they have popularity, fame, and money, they are afraid of leaving society. However, with 240,000 Korean men enlisting in the military every year, there is no reason for them to receive special treatment.

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