Not many K-Pop idols have received exemptions from service.
Koreaboo
In August 2023, SEVENTEEN‘s S.Coups suffered a torn ACL, resulting in the suspension of his activities with the group for several months as he underwent surgery to repair the injury.
The idol made sparse appearances following his surgery and was finally reported to be returning to activities alongside Jeonghan in late February, much to fans’ excitement. The notice stated the two idols were cleared to return to activities as their bodies would allow.
S.COUPS and JEONGHAN have been receiving post-surgery care since their surgeries for knee and ankle injuries in August and December of last year, respectively.
As a result of receiving constant care and taking sufficient rest, both artists have made a noticeable recovery. They have been cleared by medical professionals to resume their scheduled activities as long as they avoid straining their bodies.
— PLEDIS Entertainment
Not long after, it was reported and confirmed that S. Coups had received a Grade 5 during his physical examination, exempting him from military service. As a 95-liner, S. Coups would have been expected to begin his mandatory service sometime this year.
SEVENTEEN’s S.Coups Confirmed To Be Exempt From Military Service
The announcement was met with a range of reactions, with many fans expressing happiness at the idol not being required to postpone his activities to serve.
However, many stated this was not something to celebrate, as the idol’s injury was more severe than many expected. With such a severe injury like an ACL tear, recovery will be slow and steady, with some patients reporting that they did not return to full functionality for at least two years.
i dont know if carats should be happy for this,,,, scoups just didn’t pass the pre-examination for military enlistment. meaning his injury is worse (well obviously) 😞pic.twitter.com/kxvnRN3ch5
— angel (@hacheolz) February 29, 2024
as a (former) athlete an acl tear/rupture is insanely devastating… you’re never going to get the same range of movement ever again. you’re going to feel it every time you try to do smt you used to do easily. glad scoups is exempt but my heart is hurting at how hard he mustve
— 🌻🍉 (@loveIees) March 1, 2024
While his injury has been deemed reason enough for him not to enlist, some netizens did not think it was enough reason to be exempted from service.
Some named other idols who have had surgeries for their injuries but still served in other capacities, like public service. It is worth noting that idols who enlist in public service still face criticism from some because they are not on active duty or doing “real service.”
His ass better never perform again cause if Taecyeon had a spinal op just to serve his country as an active soldier.Why is not enlisting as a social worker?Cause people with bad injuries&mental health issues are there.Carats were too loud when the government wanted to exempt bts
— End Them (@jintheevocalist) March 1, 2024
Yoongi literally went to have a surgery just so he could enlist. If he wanted to evade, he could have delayed his surgery but what do you know
— Afriyieau1🇬🇭 (@afriyieau1) March 1, 2024
Yoongi suffered for YEARS, he kept stepping on stage by taking steroid shots & had to undergo surgery. If he did not receive this grace, then why others? Scoups can take his time to heal but if can step on comeback stages after it, he can definitely do social service.
— kina⁷ 🍉 (@tannieswithfun7) March 1, 2024
A good friend of mine had severe shoulder injury he also helped in raise the economy of that country and still went to public service..just saying
— Praxia ⁷needs yoongi (@hobashoee) March 1, 2024
Still, others found that using other idols was disrespectful to both the idol and S. Coups, as circumstances vary even with similar injuries. Many even brought up the idea of mandatory enlistment being done away with entirely for everyone.
Y’all owe yoongi and scoups the biggest apology. If you are trying to belittle any of their injuries to support your case of who deserved an exemption and who didn’t, y’all don’t deserve to say that you love your idol because y’all lack compassion and empathy. Hope that helps. pic.twitter.com/K5TxWqGGJD
— yoongles 𐙚₊˚⊹ᡣ𐭩 | minmarch (◕ᴗ◕✿) (@yoonglespebble) March 1, 2024
As a human first and foremost and a Yoongi-biased, I feel ashamed seeing a total lack of empathy from a certain section that’s throwing hate on S.coups. You don’t have any rights to compare the magnitude of their injuries with each other because that’s simply crass and inhumane.
— yoongles 𐙚₊˚⊹ᡣ𐭩 | minmarch (◕ᴗ◕✿) (@yoonglespebble) March 1, 2024
Yoongi did not deserve to be dragged for his injury or what service he was required to do.
Seungcheol does not deserve to be dragged for not being allowed to enlist.
I will defend both.
Anyone against that can fucking block me.— ⁷Kirsty.CM⁸Is seeing SKZᴹᵒᵒⁿᵇᶦⁿ🌙⑰樂🍀 (@JKJeonEuphoria) March 1, 2024
global tensions are at an all time and i for one don’t want a single person moving forward to have to enlist in the military to give up their life for the global elites. be better and advocate for mandatory enlistment to end
— alexa 💫 🦋 𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔪𝔪𝔶 𝔪𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔫𝔞⁷ (@outrochimmy93) March 1, 2024
Hopefully, all idols suffering from injuries, regardless of time are able to heal and do activities in the safest ways possible, including military service.
SEVENTEEN
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