South Korean Actor Kim Young-dae to Enlist in Military Service at Age 30

South Korean actor Kim Young-dae is set to enlist for mandatory military service at the age of 30. According to a report by TenAsia on the 25th, Kim Young-dae will begin his service as an active-duty soldier next month. He previously received a Grade 3 active-duty classification in his physical examination. Kim Young-dae is expected to be discharged in October 2027.

Born in 1996, Kim Young-dae's peers in the entertainment industry have either completed their service or announced their enlistment. However, Kim's enlistment was delayed due to the absence of a draft notice from the Ministry of National Defense, despite his preparations. In several interviews, Kim expressed his desire to fulfill his duty as an active-duty soldier.

In an interview following the conclusion of the TVING series 'Dear X' last November, Kim mentioned actors Kim Do-hoon and Kim Yoo-jung as those he hopes will visit him during his service. He stated, “I want to return from the military and approach auditions with the same passion as when I was a rookie. I have no concerns about losing what I've achieved or declining from my current status. It feels like a new beginning and an opportunity to start afresh. I plan to prepare and set my resolve during my service. I anticipate it will be a new and exciting time.”

Meanwhile, Kim Young-dae has completed all his projects, with 'Dear X' being his last before enlistment. With no upcoming projects to fill the gap during his military service, fans will have to wait until his discharge for his return to the screen.

Reported by Ryu Ye-ji, TenAsia ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr