Lee Joon-ki enters Korean military

Korean actor Lee Joon-ki waves to fans ahead of entering the Korean military on May 3, 2010. [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

Korean actor Lee Joon-ki entered the Korean army today, putting his acting career on hold for the next two years to fulfill his mandatory military duties.

The 28-year-old actor bid farewell to thousands of fans -- including many who flew in from overseas -- and reporters, who showed up at the Nonsan military training camp to see the star off.

With his trademark hair cut short to comply to standard military regulations, the actor appeared teary as he saluted his fans and apologized for his sudden departure and having to drop out from his prior work commitments.

"This is very sudden but I am not too overwhelmed.. I feel relieved and excited.". the actor said. "I am sorry that I made the announcement rather suddenly in regards to work and the fans".

Lee, who was notified by Korea's military services to join the army during the year, had been trying to defer his military entrance date in order to wrap up shootings for the film "Grand Prix" and blockbuster drama "Faith".

It was only last week that the actor found out he had no choice but to report to duty by May 3, and decided to pull out from both projects.

However, the actor, although "very disappointed", maintained a sense of humor about one thing. "I am going to eat everything I want when I go to the military. I was on a diet even until yesterday but now I can eat everything from Chinese noodles, Kimchi stew to hamburgers".

The actor will receive basic training at Nonsan camp for five weeks and later be assigned to a military base.

Lee, 28, debuted in 2001 as a model for fashion brand "SO BASIC" alongside actors Kang Dong-won and Kim Hee-seon.

He rose to mega-stardom after playing a woman-like clown in the 2005 hit film "The King and the Clown" and starred in many notable television dramas including "My Girl" (SBS, 2005), "Time Between Dog and Wolf - Drama" (MBC, 2007), "Iljimae" (SBS, 2008)" and most recently "Hero - Drama" (MBC, 2009).

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Aktor Korea Lee Joon-ki memasuki tentara Korea hari ini, meninggalkan karir aktingnya selama dua tahun ke depan untuk memenuhi tugas wajib militernya.

Aktor 28 tahun itu mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada ribuan fans - termasuk yang terbang dari luar negeri - dan wartawan, di kamp latihan militer Nonsan .

Dengan ciri khasnya rambutnya dipotong pendek untuk mematuhi peraturan militer standar, aktor itu tampak berkaca-kaca saat ia memberi hormatpada para penggemarnya dan meminta maaf untuk keberangkatannya yang mendadak dan harus meninggalkan perjanjian kerjanya.

"Ini sangat tiba-tiba tetapi saya tidak terlalu kewalahan .. aku merasa lega dan bersemangat."kata aktor itu. "Saya menyesal bahwa saya membuat pengumuman agak tiba-tiba dalam hal pekerjaan dan para fans".

Lee, yang diberitahu oleh militer Korea service untuk bergabung dengan tentara untuk tahun ini, telah berusaha untuk menunda tanggal masuk militernya untuk film menyelesaikan film "Grand Prix" dan drama blockbuster "Iman".
dia tidak punya pilihan selain melapor pada tanggal 3Mei , dan memutuskan untuk menarik diri keluar dari kedua proyek film .

Meskipun, sangat kecewa tapi ia tetap mempertahankan rasa humornya . "Aku akan makan semua yang saya inginkan ketika saya pergi ke militer. Saya sedang diet bahkan sampai kemarin, tetapi sekarang saya bisa makan semuanya, mulai dari mie Cina, sup Kimchi untuk hamburger".

Aktor ini akan menerima pelatihan dasar di kamp Nonsan selama lima minggu dan kemudian ditugaskan ke pangkalan militer.

Lee, memulai karirnya pada tahun 2001 sebagai model untuk merek fashion "SO BASIC" bersama aktor Kang Dong-won dan Kim Hee-seon.

Dia menjadi mega-bintang setelah bermain sebagai badut wanita dalam film "membintangi The King and The Clown"di tahun 2005 dan dalam banyak drama televisi terkenal termasuk "My Girl" (SBS, 2005), "Time Between Dog and Wolf - Drama "(MBC, 2007)," Iljimae "(SBS, 2008)" dan yang paling baru "Hero - Drama" (MBC, 2009).

Reporter : Park So-yoen muse@
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@
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