Thanks to a 2018 government decision, the duration of the mandatory military service for South Korean males has already been shortened. And as such, idols who are rendering their services will be returning to civilian life sooner than expected. One of them is Bigbang's main rapper, T.O.P.
In a statement released on May 21, a representative from Yongsan District's administrative office said that "Choi Seung Hyun (also known as T.O.P.) will be discharged from his mandatory service on July 8."
"Due to the government's mandatory service law which went into effect last year for public service workers as well, his mandatory service date has been shortened by approximately 27 days," the official further explained.
The K-pop megastar, who first enlisted as a conscripted police officer in February 2017, is currently serving as a public worker in the said city. Under the previous law for mandatory military service, the Bigbang member was supposed to be released in the first week of August this year.
T.O.P.'s military conscription has been one of the most controversial among K-pop idols in recent memory. A little over a quarter since he enlisted, news of him illegally using marijuana has surfaced. Upon investigation, he was charged, fined, and then transferred to his current duty.
He has been doing various public service works in Yongsan since January 2018. During his stint there, he has also faced issues like receiving special treatment. The officials were quick to deny the said allegation.
Apart from T.O.P., the remaining Bigbang members are also set to be released from the military this year - G-Dragon in October, and Daesung and Taeyang in November.
Seungri, who has earlier announced his retirement from the industry, is currently facing prostitution charges.
Bigbang - the K-pop group behind the hits "Fantastic Baby," "Bang Bang Bang," and "Last Dance" - released their latest single "Flower Road" in 2018.
