Choi Jin Hyuk Firms Up Enlistment Plans, Yoo Ah In Still Uncertain

Choi Jin Hyuk, who is winning hearts as the emergency room ex in "Emergency Couple," has firmed up his enlistment plans.

He wanted to serve his two-year compulsory military duty as a conscripted policeman in the 47th Seoul Police Promotional Unit of the police corps. This week he learned that he passed his auditions, tests and physical exams for that unit. Along with Super Junior's Sungmin, the actor will serve in that unit, which is an alternative way to fulfill the military duty required of all South Korean males between 18 and 35.

The 28-year-old actor's enlistment date has not yet been decided. According to his agency, he wants to appear in one or two more dramas before enlisting. It makes sense that he wants to take advantage of his current popularity. He had a breakout year in 2012 when he appeared as the mountain spirit Wol Ryeol in "Gu Family Book" and he followed that appearance playing Lee Min Ho's older brother in the hit drama "The Heirs."

He currently stars in the cable comedy "Emergency Couple" with Song Ji Hyo, Lee Pil Mo, Clara and Choi Yeo Jin.

Yoo Ah In will not be joining the police unit.

Rumors were circulating that Yoo Ah In failed the exams required for the promotional unit, but according to his agency, he never took the exams. Before he could, he became concerned about the controversy surrounding celebrities in the military. Last year the military disbanded its Defense Media Agency after citizens expressed concern about the preferential treatment and privileges that celebrity recruits received and abused. After the special division was disbanded, new celebrity recruits were supposed to be assigned to active duty.

For some critics, the promotional unit was another way to offer celebrity recruits preferential treatment. However even celebrity soldiers who are assigned to active duty may be recruited by the military to take part in promotional events.

Yoo Ah In has not said exactly when he plans to enlist. His new drama "Secret Love Affair," in which he plays a young pianist in love with a much older woman, began this week.

According to the police agency, there is no certain date on when someone has to enlist in the corps.

"We recruit servicemen after there is a vacancy in the unit following a soldier's discharge," said a police agency representative. "Those who were accepted have different enlistment dates."