Eligible South Korean men, including celebrities, are required to serve in the military, but there are exceptions. Recently, actor Lee Joo Ahn (이주안) shared the touching reason why he won’t have to serve in the military.
The “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (폭군의셰프)” star has been receiving a lot of attention lately for his role as Gonggil in the hit K-drama. The show also brought Lee Joo Ahn many new fans, many of whom were swooning over his looks and acting skills. As the star is turning 30 next year, there are many questions about his mandatory military service. However, Lee Joo Ahn revealed that he’s exempted from serving after donating part of his liver to his mother.
In a recent interview, the star candidly revealed that he had donated 70% of his liver to his mother when he was 22 years old. After the procedure, the actor received an exemption from military service. Lee Joo Ahn explained his decision, saying, “My mother had previously suffered from liver problems, but her condition had suddenly worsened to the point of cirrhosis. She lost consciousness and needed urgent surgery, so I consented to the transplant.”
Fortunately, after Lee Joo Ahn donated 70% of his liver, his mother’s condition improved, and she’s now healthier. The star also said his mother is happy over his success in K-dramas like “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty”, quipping that his mother often brags about him being an actor. For that, Lee Joo Ahn said he’s grateful for the public’s support and said he’ll continue working hard to become a more successful star.
After learning the reason for his military exemption, many fans and netizens praised Lee Joo Ahn for his selflessness. Many called him a filial son because of his devotion to his mother, noting that donating a majority of one’s liver isn’t an easy decision to make. Some also said they’ll continue to support him in his future projects and expressed hope for his acting career to flourish.
It’s heart-warming to learn that Lee Joo Ahn’s military exemption was because of his love for his mother. Like many others, we also hope to see the star find more success. In the meantime, you can catch him in “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty”. Check out the trailer below:
Source: SPOTV News
