Fans Defend Male Idol Exempted From Military Service as Some Netizens Question His Injury
Some netizens have been engaging in debates over the exemption of SEVENTEEN's S.Coups from military service.
SEVENTEEN recently dropped their latest album, “17 Is Right Here,” featuring the title track “Maestro.” The group has also packed their schedules with encore concerts for “Follow Again,” music show stages, and music festivals.
Recently, suspicions have arisen again among Korean netizens regarding the leg injury of the group’s leader, S.Coups. Back in August 2023, Pledis Entertainment announced S.Coups’ temporary hiatus due to a leg injury requiring surgery. The idol had torn his anterior cruciate ligament, forcing him to halt all activities with the group to focus on recovery. S.Coups made his first comeback performance at the “Follow Again” concert in Incheon on March 29.
Due to the severity of his injury, S.Coups has been granted exemption from military service. This announcement came from the South Korean Ministry of Defense on March 1, 2024. However, some netizens are dissatisfied with this decision.
An online topic gaining attention questions S.Coups’ injury status, stating: “He’s been exempted from military service because of a torn ACL while playing soccer. But he was still dancing and running around at concerts like this. It’s strange that not even a single article has appeared.”
In South Korea, the law regarding military service obligation is extremely strict. Men must enlist by a certain age as prescribed by law. Therefore, for idol groups, this is a critical juncture that can potentially disrupt their careers.
Many celebrities have tried to circumvent the law and faced public backlash. Thus, some netizens question why S.Coups was exempted from enlistment when his leg had recovered and he could move normally, even without community service. However, the post also faced opposition from many due to its “obvious malicious intent” towards the idol.
As for the exemption from military service, this decision falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense. Many suggest that if there are concerns, they should be addressed through proper channels instead of turning it into a controversial topic that spawns unfounded rumors.
Regarding the extent of S.Coups’ injury, fans have provided evidence disproving the claims made in the accusatory post. Observing all four recent concerts, S.Coups and Jeonghan are the two members who do not perform leg movements. The two mostly sang while standing, prioritizing hand movements and stepping aside when other members performed hard and intense choreography.
During the jumping moments, S.Coups landed on an uninjured leg. There are many instances where S.Coups struggled to move, needing assistance from other members or experiencing leg pain on stage.
In the “Maestro” choreography, S.Coups also does not dance excessively. Most of his movements involve the upper body and focus on expression. He steps back after the members perform a dance break, only executing simple leg movements. It’s evident that the idol had to reduce dance intensity and ensure minimal impact on the injured leg. Thus, the accusations against S.Coups are unfounded.
Source: K14
