K-pop star Rain in trouble for privileges during military service

Posted on : 2013-01-04 13:47 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Singer was allowed to leave base to work on music, but also met actress Kim Tae-hee, and didn’t keep his hat on
 
 Korean singer better known as Rain
Korean singer better known as Rain

By Ha Eo-young, staff reporter

On Jan. 3, the Korean Ministry of National Defense said that it planned to refer corporal Jung Ji-hoon, 31 - the Korean singer better known as Rain - to the army’s disciplinary committee violation of military protocol. Rain has allegedly gone on numerous dates with actress Kim Tae-hee, 33, since he began his compulsory military service, which has raised suspicions that he is receiving privileged treatment in the form of holidays and nights away from base.

“While Rain left the base on official business to practice [a new song], he did make personal contact [with Kim Tae-hee],” said Kim Min-seok, spokesperson for the Ministry, at a regular briefing. “This personal contact can be regarded as an violation of regulations.”

Actress Kim Tae-hee
Actress Kim Tae-hee

Military authorities have determined that Rain met Kim Tae-hee on three occasions altogether, on Nov. 23, Dec. 2, and Dec. 9 of 2012. The meetings took place between 9 and 10pm, when Rain was returning to base after doing editing work on his latest songs in his private studio in Seoul’s Nonhyeon neighborhood. It was also reported that Rain rode in a vehicle provided by the actress on his way back to base.

“The fact that Rain didn’t wear a hat [when he was off base] also appears to be a violation of regulations,” Kim Min-seok said. South Korean soldiers are required to wear their hats when in public. “Currently, questions have been raised about infractions of four different rules.”

Regarding the severity of the punishment, he said, “I doubt that Rain will be thrown in the brig,” suggesting that the singer may have his holiday and off-base sleeping privileges suspended.

Military authorities have also decided to prepare some special management guidelines for celebrity soldiers who serve on the military’s public relations team.

“For now, when a celebrity soldier such as Rain leaves base, he will be accompanied by an officer, and they will have to wrap up their music work and return to base by 10pm. Also, the military public relations director, who manages the public relations team, will have to report the details of their activity each month to the head of the Service and Support Corps,” Kim Min-seok explained.

Rain’s military service is scheduled to be completed on July 10.

 

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