Unfounded Enlistment Rumors Affect Song Joong Ki's Career

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Song Joong Ki

Song Joong Ki is one of Korea's hottest celebrities at the moment. Readers responding to a nationwide newspaper survey recently chose Song Joong Ki as the male celebrity they would most like to kiss. So when rumors said the actor was planning to enlist in August, there were a lot of disappointed and confused comments posted in online forums. Netizens wondered why no public announcement had been made about the actor's plans and why the actor would consider enlisting at the height of his career.

The reason that there was no public announcement, it turns out, is that there was no truth to the rumor. Song, 27, does not plan to enlist just yet. Not in August. Not any time in the near future. Nor does he have to just yet. Although most kdrama actors generally prefer to fulfill their compulsory military service before they turn 30, he officially does not have to enlist for a few more years.

The actor has enjoyed a recent run of good roles. He became well known after he appeared as the well-dressed merchant's son Goo Yong Ha in "Sungkyunkwan Scandal." He earned praise and loyal fans after playing the antihero Kang Ma Ru in the 2012 drama, "The Innocent Man." He also starred in the 2012 film "Werewolf Boy," which had a successful run at the box office.

The actor, who did ten commercials last year and is currently filming another, was considering new drama and film roles until the rumors began to affect his options. The unfounded rumors spread so far and so fast that some production companies withdrew roles they had previously offered him. They figured he would not be around when the cameras started rolling.

To counter such career-damaging rumors, Song Joong Ki's agency recently released a statement saying that they had not received any written notice about enlistment or heard anything from the actor.

"We don't know ourselves whether Song Joong Ki will enlist in August or later this year. Once we know the official date, we will be sure to let the public know."

No one is sure how the rumors started although some say that reporters were given false information.

His agency went on to say that the actor has no definite plans, enlistment or otherwise.

"We don't know where the rumors came from," said his agency. "Regarding his enlistment and his next project, nothing is set."

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