Kim Nam-gil to enter Korean military next week

Korean actor Kim Nam-gil, currently starring in SBS TV series "Bad Boy," will be enlisting in the army next week to fulfill the country's mandatory two-year military service.

According to a press release by agency Star J Entertainment on Monday, the actor will be entering the Nonsan military training camp on July 15 where he will receive four weeks of basic training and then work as a public service worker.

Late last month, the actor received a draft notice to enter the military by July 15, but the show's production company Good Story and broadcaster SBS had been trying to delay the entrance date in order to wrap up shooting for "Boy."

"The drama's viewers and fans hearing the news will be disappointed and feel that it is sudden. And we are incredibly sorry about delivering the news a bit late," the actor was quoted as saying. "But this is something that has been expected and prepared for, so I ask for their understanding even if they are surprised."

From the beginning of the show's production and planning stages, "Boy" is said to have been carrying out its filming in regards to Kim's imminent military duties.

The series will be ending its run with the seventeenth episode, one more episode than originally planned, with shooting to wrap up on July 13.

The Wednesday/Thursday evening drama is likely to air until early next month, due to several weeks of delay caused by the World Cup broadcast.

Kim, 29, made his debut in 2003 and has appeared in notable dramas such as "Be Strong Geum Soon" (MBC, 2005), "Goodbye Solo" (KBS2, 2006) and "Lovers" (SBS, 2006).

He became a household name last year playing the role of Bidam in MBC's historical drama "Queen Seon-deok" alongside top Korean actress Ko Hyun-jung.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@