Actor Lee Do-hyun appears in "Backpacker 2." Captured from tvN

The concept of a "military hiatus," the period of career inactivity caused by Korea's mandatory military service for celebrities, is gradually fading as some actors continue to showcase a strong presence through acting during their military service and singers preparing music in advance, also bringing joy to their fans.

Actor Lee Do-hyun is a prime example. He has stayed connected with the public even during his military service through the movie "Exhuma" and the Tving original series "I'll Die Soon" (2023).

Last month, he attended the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards in uniform, where he received Best New Actor in the film category for "Exhuma." During his acceptance speech, he mentioned his girlfriend, Lim Ji-yeon, expressing his affection.

Furthermore, fans could catch up with Lee on the tvN variety show "Backpacker 2." In a recent episode, the cast tackled Western cuisine at the Air Force Band and Honor Guard.

Lee, serving in the band, made an appearance and said, "I enlisted last August." He expressed a preference for steak during a menu survey. His interaction with fellow actor Ahn Bo-hyun during mealtime also caught viewers' attention.

BTS members continue to shine

The global sensation BTS continues to maintain a strong presence, rendering the idea of a "military hiatus" seem almost irrelevant.

Member RM released his second solo album, "Right Place, Wrong Person," on May 24. This album, completed before his enlistment, explores moments when one feels like a misfit in a particular place through its new songs.

Similarly, Jungkook released a digital single titled "Never Let Go" on Friday. This fan song expresses his gratitude for the unwavering love from ARMY, the official fandom of BTS. The message of the song is about never letting go of each other's hands. This new music aims to soothe the longing fans have felt since Jungkook enlisted last December.

K-pop boy band DAY6 / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

Pre-pepared content keeps fans engaged

Stars continue to connect with the public through various content during their military service, allowing fans to enjoy new material even if they see their favorite stars less frequently.

Why has the gap during military service decreased compared to the past?

Kim Heon-sik, a culture critic, said, "There are now successful precedents of managing military hiatuses well, which has created a pattern where singers and actors prepare content in advance."

Kim said it is true that idols have an advantage in filling their military. "In the case of BTS, since there are multiple members, the group's name comes up every time a member releases new content," Kim said.

He also said that "shortened military service periods, the activation of social media marketing, and the culture of social media communities have accelerated content sharing and prolonged its effects, contributing to the disappearance of the concept of a military hiatus."

BTS leader RM discusses his recently released second solo album in a video shared on the group's YouTube channel on May 25. Captured from YouTube

In some cases, stars even gain more attention during their service.

The group DAY6 garnered significant buzz in 2022 with its performance on KBS2's "Immortal Songs" for Armed Forces Day.

Korean Augmentation to the United States Army member Young K, Navy sailor Wonpil and Army member Dowoon performed the band's song "You make Me" in uniform.

This song achieved its highest ranking on music charts nearly four years after its release. A netizen commented on a YouTube clip of their performance, "A band singing about youth in military uniforms is pure romance," garnering many likes and much agreement.

Military service is no longer a period that must bring a halt to an entertainer's career. Through pre-prepared content, stars can maintain communication with their fans. For some, like DAY6, it can even be an opportunity for a new peak in their careers.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea times, is translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.