Korean Actor Na In-woo Faces Public Scrutiny Over Military Exemption

Actor Na In-woo (나인우), who has been exempted from military service, is under scrutiny following a complaint filed with the Military Manpower Administration (병무청). On December 17, a netizen requested a clear explanation regarding Na's classification as a 4th-grade supplementary reserve, questioning why he has not enlisted despite being born in 1994, which is past the typical enlistment age.

The complainant noted that it is customary for active-duty personnel to enlist before turning 30, and even for supplementary reserves, delays beyond the age of 31 are unusual. The recent news of Na's military exemption has intensified public curiosity, especially considering his impressive physical attributes, including a height close to 190 cm and excellent vision. He has also demonstrated good health by participating in various activities, including swimming in seawater on entertainment shows.

Despite being classified as a 4th-grade supplementary reserve, Na has been actively involved in the entertainment industry, filming eight dramas and participating in variety shows from 2021 to 2024. The netizen expressed concerns that if Na's exemption was due to being a descendant of a war veteran or other valid reasons, it would have been disclosed earlier.

Na In-woo's representatives stated that he received a military exemption after waiting for three years without a call-up notice from the Military Manpower Administration. This year alone, over 10,000 individuals received similar exemptions. The situation has sparked debate, with some expressing envy over Na's apparent administrative luck, while others lament his departure from the show 1 Night 2 Days (1박 2일) due to enlistment issues.

Na is set to return to the screen in the new MBC drama Motel California (모텔 캘리포니아), which is scheduled to premiere next year. Fans are eager to see if he will address the military exemption controversy in public appearances.