Does Mandatory Military Enlistment No Longer Put A Pause On K-Pop Idols' Career?

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K-Pop idols spend much of their youth training to stand atop the stage and mesmerize audiences through a multitude of dazzling stage performances. They work extremely hard from their pre-debut period in order to leave a mark upon the entertainment industry. They mainly attempt to do so through their music, but aren't afraid to try out other ventures like acting, variety programs, and other activities. They continuously showcase their passionate resolve in all that they do, gaining waves of fans with every comeback.

However, in the case of male K-Pop idols, they are faced with another dilemma: mandatory military enlistment. While they're able to postpone their enlistment, it's an unavoidable commitment that all able-bodied men must face. The only exception occurs when a South Korean male is deemed unfit to serve after a series of medical check ups and tests. But even then, those who don't need to carry out this responsibility must wait for the rest of their groupmates in order to promote under their group name as a complete unit.

Although mandatory military enlistment was previously seen as a career killer for K-Pop idols of the past, things have started to change and companies have begun to implement various measures to ensure their artist remains relevant, in some way, shape, or form.

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A Need For Military Forces

Does Mandatory Military Enlistment No Longer Put A Pause On K-Pop Idols' Career?

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Newer fans in the K-Pop community might be wondering: "Why do K-Pop idols need to go into the military?" This is due to the fact that the Korean peninsula is split between the North and the South. Both were occupied and shaped by two differin