Michelle Topham 
After 21 months in the South Korean military — in his case, as a member of the band of the Republic Of Korea Air Force — actor Lee Do Hyun has been officially discharged from duty after completing his mandatory service.
That now means the actor is available to accept a role in any drama or film he wants, and can even appear at more awards shows if he wins an award. Yay!
Lee Do Hyun enlisted on on August 14, 2023 and, during the time he was away, his smash-hit film Exhuma was released, for which he was awarded a Baeksang Award for Best New Actor.
Publicity for Exhuma at the time also included the rest of the cast, plus a cardboard cutout of Lee Do Hyun, as he couldn’t appear for those either.
Sweet Home, Season 2, in which the now-30-year-old actor had a guest role, was also released on Netflix to accolades, while he also appeared in a previously-filmed guest role in the popular K-drama Death’s Game.
Lee Do Hyun was in the military so long, even Sweet Home, Season 3 came out less than a year into his mandatory service. It too premiered to rave reviews. (Korean men who choose to serve in the Air Force serve three months longer than those in the Army or the Navy, btw).
But, the 30-year-old actor is now a free man, with his agency YUEHUA Entertainment Korea commenting this week that he is already receiving offers for drama and film roles, as well as for advertising and photo shoots.
To be expected, of course, when one of South Korea’s most successful young actors is forced to give up his career for the better part of two years.
Now let’s see what projects Lee Do Hyun signs up for going forward.
But if they are anywhere as good as Sweet Home, The Good Bad Mother, The Glory or Youth of May (two other K-dramas he recently starred in), it’s possible we will be in for a bit of a treat.
About the Author
Rachel M. Reeves 
