Singer G.Soul has chosen to serve as an active-duty soldier for his mandatory military service.
On Feb. 22, Wednesday, there were reports stating that the "You" hitmaker had decided to enlist as a conscripted policeman, for which he was required to undergo a physical examination on Feb. 23, Thursday. However, it was later revealed that he did not turn up for the tests.
A source from G.Soul's side said that he had initially applied to enlist as a conscripted policeman, but later changed his mind and chose to enlist as an active-duty soldier instead. The source pointed out that the singer was strongly determined about becoming an active-duty soldier in the military before adding that he is expected to enlist within this year.
In Korea, many people enlist as a conscripted policeman and the post is often perceived as taking the easy way out. Enlisting as an active-duty soldier, on the other hand, is a position that receives a great deal of respect, as it is means the one is completely fulfilling their duty towards the nation. However, both duties are considered as valid methods to complete mandatory military service.
On Feb. 24, Thursday, a source from G.Soul's agency, JYP Entertainment, issued a statement on the singer's military enlistment. "He did not apply to enlist as a conscripted policeman in order to take it easy," Soompi quoted the agency as saying.
"Conscripted policemen are also soldiers, and it seems that there was a mistake when the news was publicized. He did not take the physical examinations to be a conscripted policeman because he was searching for an alternative way to enlist as an active-duty soldier," the agency added.
Meanwhile, G.Soul is collaborating with Epik High's Tablo and music producer Code Kunst on the title song, "Fire Water," from the latter's upcoming album, which is slated to release later this month, according to All Kpop. Check out the teaser below: