According to the Military Manpower Administration, actor Hyun Bin who is serving on the frontlines was voted as the role model of the official military service through an online poll.

The 29-year-old actor serving in the 6th Marine Brigade on Baengnyeong Island near the northwestern maritime border with North Korea received the most votes out of 351 men suggested by the public, which included actors Cho In-sung, Cha In-pyo and singer Lee Jung.

Of the 351 men, 299 were celebrities. There were no political or social leaders among the suggestions. According to the MMA, common cases among the remaining 52 civilians were those who had received exemption from the military service because of medical problems but chose to serve regardless.

Hyun had been accepted to join the Marines in January. 

He gained tremendous popularity with his role in the SBS weekend drama “Secret Garden” and built up an enormous fan base both nationwide and overseas. Two recently released movies in which Hyun starred, “Late Autumn” and “Come Rain, Come Shine” also received attention.

Hyun’s case is in sharp contrast to a host of actors who have been charged with draft-dodging.

The ruling Grand National Party lawmaker Jeon Yeo-ok once called the actor’s decision to join the Marines an act of “noblesse oblige,” and hoped it would be a chance to change young South Koreans’ perception of the mandatory military duty.

In Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for about two years.

By Robert Lee
(robert@heraldcorp.com)