South Korean Ministry Of Defense Eliminates Celebrity Soldier Unit: Sangchu, Se7en, 8 Others To Be Punished In Wake Of PR Officer Scandal

South Korea's National Ministry Of Defense announced Thursday that they will be eliminating their controversial celebrity recruit unit of the public relations wing of their Defense Media Agency (DMA) started in 1997.

South Korea's National Ministry Of Defense announced Thursday that they will be eliminating their controversial celebrity recruit unit of the public relations wing of their Defense Media Agency (DMA) started in 1997.
"The promotional support brigade was set up to promote the military and raise the morale of soldiers, but due to the unpleasant issues that have occurred, the military's image has only been tarnished," read an official army statement, according to the publication Star News.
"It has also brought down the morale of other soldiers who have been diligently serving. As the purpose of the celebrity soldier branch [was] to promote the military, the public's faith is important, but due to various problems, we have only lost the public's faith."

Additionally, the Ministry Of Defense announced, eight soldiers from the celebrity soldier branch, including the K-pop singers Sangchu of the group Mighty Mouth and Se7en, would receive a severe punishment because of camera footage shot for the news program "Scene 21."
Seven of the soldiers will face severe disciplinary action and be relocated to the field near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, TENASIA reports.
The eighth solider, a corporal, will face more minor disciplinary action.
Several Defense Media Agency officials will also be punished for their mismanagement of the celebrity PR agent program.
"We fully realize responsibility for our insufficient management of the DMA and its soldiers," a Ministry Of Defense spokesman said.
"As a follow-up measure of the investigation results on the DMA, we have decided to abolish the institution [of the celebrity soldier branch]."
The "Scene 21" footage, which causes a public furor when it aired last month, showed members of the promotional support brigade wandering the streets after curfew out of uniform, chatting on their cellphones and purchasing alcohol at 2 a.m.
Sangchu and Se7en were filmed visiting a massage known for providing erotic services.
"The audit [of the celebrity PR agent program] revealed that the purpose of the unit has been tarnished and has lost the trust of the public," an army official told the South China Morning Post.
All eligible males between the ages of 18 and 35, famous or not, are legally required to enroll for between 21 and 24 months of army service in South Korea (the length of mandatory enrollment changes by several months depending on which branch of the military that they serve in) in a practice known as conscription.
There are currently 15 celebrity soldiers currently serving in the army as PR agents. Starting August 1, they will reportedly all be assigned to different units.
Civilian artists or amateurs from within the country's armed forces will now perform at any concerts organized by the South Korean army.



kpopstarz

Kangta to Share Pizza and Advice with EXO

First generation idol Kangta shared some delicious pizza with his company’s juniors, EXO.
Kangta was the lead singer and visual of the legendary idol group H.O.T back in the day, but now mostly keeps a low profile except for his role as a judge and mentor on “Voice Korea.” He has recently signed on to be a regular cast member on the variety show “I Live Alone.” 
“I Live Alone” shows Kangta in his post H.O.T life. In the upcoming episode, the former idol star heads to the SM building for work but among the throng of fans, there are none that are his, causing him to reflect that a lot has changed since his glory days. Kangta sees his juniors and SM Entertainment’s latest group, EXO, who has just finished a music show recording. Seeing them reminds Kangta of his old days, and he decides to buy the young group some pizza.
Over pizza Kangta reminisces about his time as an idol member and offers advice to EXO.
This episode of “I Live Alone” will air on July 19. 




ohkpop

Kim Hyun Joong Shows Rugged Masculine Charms for "@star1"

Kim Hyun Joong, who has recently come back with a new single, “Unbreakable,” has shown his strong charisma for a recent @star1 photo shoot.
This photo shoot took place in early July where Kim Hyun Joong displayed his casual yet chic and masculine beauty.
With Kim Hyun Joong’s great body line, his short hairstyle and a variety of casual yet manly outfits, he was able to create a rugged and dramatic atmosphere for the photo shoot.
It is reported that staff members were awed at Kim Hyun Joong’s professionalism. Sources commented, “Although the weather was bad and it was raining, Kim Hyun Joong focused on bringing each cut into life.”
Kim Hyun Joong’s @star1 photo shoot will be available through the August edition.
Check out the photos below! Also, check out the BTS video clip of this photo shoot on the way bottom!










ohkpop

Kim Hyun Joong pre-releases "Unbreakable" (ft. Jay Park) MV

Kim Hyun Joong has pre-released one of his upcoming songs, "Unbreakable"! 

He recruited the help of Jay Park for this track, making it all the more exciting while marking his return to the domestic music scene.

Remember, it doesn't stop here as Kim Hyun Joong will release his album on the 22nd! In the meantime, check out the MV above!


allkpop

Where will Leeteuk be stationed after the celebrity recruits are abolished?

Now that the Ministry of Defense has abolished the celebrity recruits, Super Junior fans are more curious than ever to see where Leeteuk will be placed.

Leeteuk had originally been placed in the 306 reserve at Gyeonggido Uijeongbu, but then had been moved to the celebrity recruits along with Sangchu by the Ministry of Defense. 

But now that the Ministry of Defense had abolished the celebrity recruits, saying that the 15 current recruits will be reassigned to different units starting from August 1st, there are many guesses, including one that says that he'll be going back to his original 306 reserve.

So far, there are no definite answers, so stay tuned for updates.



allkpop