[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] “He joined the military, but we’re seeing him more often.”
The pattern of actors’ “military hiatus” is changing. In the past, enlistment meant a hiatus of about a year and a half, but with the widespread adoption of pre-production and online video streaming services (OTT), it has become commonplace for works filmed before enlistment to be released one after another during their service. In effect, while their bodies are in the military, their faces continue to appear on TV screens and in theaters.

A prime example is actor Lee Jun-young. Lee, who enlisted on July 21, is currently maintaining his position at the top of the buzz rankings even while serving in the military through tvN’s “Four Hands.” According to survey results for the second week of September (September 7–13) released by Good Data Corporation’s Fundex on the 15th, Lee Jun-young ranked first for three consecutive weeks in the TV-OTT combined drama cast popularity category. “Four Hands” also ranked first for three consecutive weeks in the TV-OTT combined drama popularity category during the same period.
“Four Hands” is a project Lee Jun-young completed filming before enlisting. The production press conference was also pre-recorded prior to his enlistment. Although Lee Jun-young was already serving in the military when the series premiered, the show is now reaching viewers at the height of its popularity.
There’s no hiatus on the big screen either. The film *Handwritten*, in which Lee Jun-young made a special appearance, is currently undergoing post-production and preparing for release. With new dramas and films being released one after another even after his enlistment, the term “military hiatus” has become obsolete.
Behind this shift lies the expansion of pre-production. In the past, drama filming and broadcast often took place simultaneously, but recently, there has been an increase in productions where filming is completed in full before scheduling or setting a separate release date for OTT platforms. With the separation of filming and release dates, actors can maintain continuity in their careers through completed works even if they enlist.

Actor Lee Do-hyun is a prime example. He finished filming the movie *Exhumation* before enlisting, and the film was released while he was serving; as the movie became a major box office hit, his presence as an actor actually grew stronger. Although he was unable to participate in official promotional activities, public interest in him continued thanks to the film’s success.
The difference is even more pronounced when compared to singers. For singers, a large portion of their activities—such as releasing new songs, appearing on music shows, and holding concerts—requires their direct participation, so the hiatus during military service is relatively clear-cut. In contrast, if an actor has completed filming, their dramas and movies can still be released as scheduled even while they are serving.
Ultimately, an actor’s military hiatus is shifting from a “time when activities come to a halt” to a “time when pre-produced works fill the gap.” An entertainment industry insider stated, “In the past, enlistment carried a heavy burden for actors—the fear of being ‘forgotten’ during that time,” adding, “Now, depending on how many projects and to what extent they are prepared before enlistment, their filmography can continue uninterrupted even during their service.”