A controversy related to draft evasion involving a well-known actor has caused a stir within the entertainment sector in Taiwan. In response, Taiwanese media called upon South Korea’s K-pop group BTS, with comments expressing a self-deprecating desire to “learn from Korea.”
As reported by local media sources such as TVBS, Taipei Times, and ET Today on the 1st, Chu Seong, a 36-year-old renowned Taiwanese singer and actor, was detained on allegations of avoiding military service. Video showing Chu being escorted in handcuffs from his apartment to a police station in Xinbei was made public.
Chu Seong is said to have paid between 300,000 and 400,000 New Taiwan dollars (around 14.2 million to 18.94 million South Korean won) to acquire a fake medical certificate for high blood pressure in order to evade military duty.
This inquiry began with last year’s draft avoidance controversy involving multiple well-known entertainers. In June of the previous year, Taiwanese authorities charged 28 people, including nine entertainers like the popular actor Wang Daru, 15 others such as a renowned chef, music producer, businessman, and doctor, and four intermediaries who helped with the draft evasion, with violating military service regulations under military law and falsifying documents under criminal law.
Afterward, Xinbei prosecutors and police carried out a major operation against draft avoidance, detaining around 10 more people, including Chu Seong.
Taiwanese media highlighted that the draft avoidance cases involving well-known entertainers are significantly different from South Korea’s approach. They specifically mentioned global K-pop groups such as BTS and EXO, whose members have consistently completed their military service requirements.
Media sources reported that Taiwanese internet users expressed strong disapproval, stating, “BTS went to the military despite being globally renowned,” “Take a lesson from South Korea,” and “Are Taiwan’s standards more crude than South Korea’s?” Furthermore, they emphasized that public opinion largely urged Taiwan to adopt South Korea’s approach, as BTS’s fame increased after all members finished their military service, with remarks such as, “Only by doing so can the nation endure.”
BTS started their military service in December 2022, beginning with the eldest member, Jin, and all members, including RM, V, Jimin, Jungkook, and Suga, finished their service or were released in June of the previous year. Their fifth studio album *‘Arirang’* and its lead single *‘Swim,’* which came out after 3 years and 9 months, reached the top positions on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 charts in the U.S. *‘Swim’* also achieved number one on the UK Official Albums Chart *‘Top 100’* and the Oricon *‘Weekly Streaming Ranking’* in Japan. During a Weverse Live session held on the afternoon of the 1st, Jin expressed his feelings, stating, “It feels even better that the first album released after all members completed their military service topped the Billboard charts.”
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