The Korean soldier (1)
wulijohyunjae | April 8, 2010 | 7:00 am
Although they do not say so, these videos on the Korean soldier must have been released by the Korean military. This version comes to us from a Japanese source as the commentary and subtitles are in Japanese. You don’t really have to understand Korean or Japanese to get the drift of the contents.
The first video starts by stating military service in Korea is mandatory. Every able-bodied man who enlists must undergo 5 weeks of basic military training which is very tough and strict.
The young recruits are shown saying goodbye to their families and girlfriends. At the initiation ceremony (with the families watching), there are lots of crying and hugging. Then the families leave and the young recruits are on their own.
Still in civilian clothes, they are starting their military service there and then. They collect their military uniforms and put them on, with a senior soldier demonstrating how to do so. Each soldier has a locker (very small) and the “bed” is right underneath the locker. The sleeping conditions are cramped (to say the least) but tidy. The life of discipline has begun.
One young soldier says this is the first time he has left home and he is feeling uneasy. He and the others will have to get used to this unit which is going to be their home for the next 5 weeks.
The second video shows the basic military training the Korean soldiers undergo during the first 5 weeks of their military service. They include: 1) marching; 2) guerilla training; 3) field combat; 4) TNT (grenades/explosives); 5) chemical warfare.
Those interviewed all say the training helps build up self-confidence and maturity. We are in awe when we imagine Jo Hyun-Jae going through all these from August 5 – September 9, 2008 (5 weeks.) No wonder he now looks more manly and even macho.
5 weeks of basic military training in unavoidable. We now understand why so many Korean actors/singers opt to be entertainment soldiers. Two more years of this requires true grit and sheer endurance. JHJ chooses to serve as an ordinary soldier for his entire military service. JHJ, we are so proud of you!
(Credit: usabell of http://club.brokore.com/sodonyo; www.johyunjae.com. Thanks!
We are all so proud of him and looking at these pictures, it seems that JHJ is beaming with much pride and joy as he embrace his military life two years ago.
Marise, yes, JHJ seems to be actually enjoying his military service. When you see how hard life is in the military (from these videos), you will know how much this says about JHJ the man and the soldier.
My hero….
I am so glad that JHJ stayed as a regular duty soldier throughout his MS. It may have been a more difficult path (for him, for his family, and for his fans – scarce news and less free exposure c/o the SK Army!!!), but it revealed to us more of what kind of stuff our JHJ is made of.
We need not worry anymore if he will survive showbiz intrigues or difficulties in his personal life. He will not just survive, he will thrive! The more difficult the challenge ahead, the brighter he will shine!