By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin
It's almost a month after his
discharge from the army and yet pop star Rain is still being hounded by
controversy regarding his appointment as an entertainment soldier.
A Korean lawmaker accused that these entertainment soldiers, who
were tasked to promote the image of the army, were given preferential
treatment.
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| Rain (Photos by www.newsen.com) |
Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Kwang-jin charged that Rain was
chosen as an entertainment soldier despite that he failed to complete the
documents needed to be designated as such.
He hinted that Rain and other entertainment soldiers who
experienced problems during their enlistment should be made to serve again in
the army, according to a report by Korea JoongAng Daily.
"To be selected for the entertainment unit, celebrities had
to present their career histories, detailing the TV programs and movies they
starred in and music they released. In addition, the celebrities were asked to
submit a letter of recommendation by any relevant association," the
newspaper said.
The report said the lawmaker cited the case of Korean rapper Psy,
who was ordered to enlist in the military twice.
The issue of entertainment soldiers stemmed from an SBS TV report
in late June which showed them violating military rules.
Singers Se7en and Sangchu of Mighty Mouth were seen visiting
massage parlors after a military concert.
After its investigation, Korea's Ministry of National Defense
ordered the abolition of the entertainment soldiers system and the imprisonment
of Se7en, Sangchu and other celebrities involved in the scandal.
Last January, Rain was punished by the MND for dating actress Kim
Tae Hee.
The MND said it will not order Rain to serve again in the army.
“Rain is a top singer known by almost everyone in Korea. That’s
why some of the documents were not collected prior to his enlistment, but that
is not enough to make him serve his military duty again,” said MND
spokesperson Kim Min-seok, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
With the abolition of the entertainment soldiers system,
celebrities who are serving the army were transferred to regular units.
They are Kim Moo Yul, Super Junior′s Leeteuk, Lee Hyuk Ki
(Loptimist), Kim Min Su, Kim Ho Young, Lee Seok Hoon, Ryu Sang Wook, Lee Ji Hoon
(Kyunwoo) and Choi Jae Hwan, according to ENewsWorld.
Se7en, Sangchu and Lee Joon Hyuk will be transferred on Aug.
9 after serving time in jail.
Link to my original article on Manila
Bulletin online:
To contact the author, send email to sangchusan(at)gmail.com
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