String of male stars to enlist

A string of A-list male stars are expected to enlist in the Army within the year.

Singer-actorKim Jae-joongwill be first to depart, followed by actorsKim Soo-hyeon-Iof "My Love from the Star" (2014);Park Yoo-chunfrom the upcoming drama series "Sensory Couple" (2015);Yoo Ah-in, pictured above, of"Secret Love Affair"(2014); andLee Seung-giof"Love Forecast"(2015) will join the military, according to sources familiar with the situation. The stars, all in their 30s, had so far put off mandatory military duty, citing tight production schedules. Most Korean men enlist in the Army during their early to mid-20s.

Singer-actorKim Jae-joongis scheduled to begin his service on March 31. Specific dates for the others have not yet been confirmed.

However, the men are set to try their hands on at least one or two projects before their enlistment to make up for their absence. Most mandatory military terms last 21 months.

Two of Yoo's films are expected to be released this year. The action flick,"Veteran", will be unveiled in the next few months, while the period film"The Throne"will hit theaters nationwide at the end of 2015.

Kim Soo-hyeon-Iis also slated to star in a new drama series entitled"Producers"and is likely to do one more film before his service starts.

By Sung So-young