Rain Mentioned In Latest Celebrity Recruit Scandal

Singer and actor Rain may have been discharged from the army but his service as a celebrity recruit is still being discussed there.

A recent inspection report from Korea's Ministry of National Defense stated that Rain and ten other public relations agents did not have the required documents necessary to be PR agents for the military. While all Korean males between the ages of 18 and 35 must serve two years of compulsory military service, many celebrities choose to become PR Agents. But to do so, an actor, comedian or singer must file the necessary papers within three months. The report said that this was not done in Rain's case. It also said that the person who interviewed Rain let some requirements slide, saying that he would not dare to interview a world-class celebrity.

Many actors and singers serve in the PR department and do a good job, but a few abuse their position, using their celebrity recruit status to take extra time off and have extra privileges such as using their cell phones. Recently reporters spied Rain, singers Se7en and Mighty Mouth's Sangchu drinking when they were supposed to be on duty and Se7en and Sangchu visiting adult massage parlors. An investigative report on celebrity recruits that was shown on Korean television finally resulted in a decision by the Ministry of National Defense to end the program.

"We have decided to close down the PR unit as a result of the audit held on PR agents," said a representative for the Ministry. "We feel responsible for leaving the Defense Media Agency to cause trouble, and for not supervising the PR agents properly."

The unit was meant to improve the image of the military, said the media agency, but it has done the opposite. It will shut down because of its negative effect on general military morale and complaints received from the public. The celebrity recruits who visited the massage parlors await punishment. PR agents who have less than three months to serve will remain in their units while those with more time will be transferred to new units, to serve with non-celebrity soldiers.

Actors who sign up for military duty in the future will not have the option of serving in the PR department. Actor Yoo Seung Ho, who appeared in "Missing You," is currently serving in the military but refused the option of being a celebrity recruit and is on active duty.

Rain, who starred in "Full House," was recently discharged from his military service without any charges being filed.