박지훈 “내년에 무조건 해병대 입대…소속사 반대해도 갈 것” 선언[인터뷰]②

Unwavering Military Commitment

The singer-actor has made his intentions crystal clear: he will enlist in the Marine Corps next year, no matter what. During a recent interview at a café in Seoul’s Samcheong-dong district, he explained that age restrictions mean he must serve by next year, and his preference is firmly set on the Marines.

When asked what he would do if his management company opposed the decision, his response was unequivocal: “I’ll go anyway. I really want to serve next year.” He emphasized his determination to join the Marine Corps specifically, even mentioning his desire to volunteer for the reconnaissance unit—though he stressed that regardless of assignment, joining the Marines is non-negotiable.

His reasoning? “If you’re going to do something once, you might as well challenge yourself with the toughest option,” he explained. He believes the Marine Corps experience will offer unique learning opportunities that other branches cannot provide.

No Concerns About Career Gaps

Addressing potential career interruptions, he revealed he has never worried about the hiatus. He pointed out a common strategy where entertainers film projects before enlisting, allowing their work to air during military service—effectively minimizing any perceived absence from the public eye.

A Breakout Year in Entertainment

This has been an extraordinary year for the performer. Following his role in a film that surpassed ten million viewers, making him part of the elite “ten million actor” club, he’s now starring in the popular military cooking fantasy drama “Legend of the Cook Soldier.”

The show follows Private Kang Sung-jae, who trades rifles for kitchen knives and ammunition belts for aprons, becoming a legendary military cook. Despite admitting “I’m actually terrible at cooking,” he took on the role because it offered opportunities for physical comedy and improvisation—two things he particularly enjoys.

He attended culinary school to prepare for the part, and while he jokes that his knife skills improved, the experience actually pushed him further away from cooking. “I realized cooking is definitely not for me,” he laughed. “When I eventually enlist, I now know I definitely shouldn’t become a cook soldier!”

The actor appreciated the creative freedom on set, noting the director encouraged him to add spontaneous elements beyond the script, making the filming process particularly enjoyable.

Deep Gratitude Toward Fans

Throughout the conversation, his affection for supporters remained a constant theme. “I want to express something beyond ‘I love you’—something even stronger,” he shared, calling his fans “everything” to him and crediting them as the force that motivates him.

He described a particularly moving concert moment as one of his happiest memories: seeing countless fans holding light sticks, all focused on him. “I’m just one person, but there were so many people watching me. That image of them with their light sticks—I still can’t forget it. It was pure happiness. It’s something beyond love, though I can’t quite find the words to describe it.”

Looking Ahead

As for future plans, he intends to maximize face-to-face time with supporters, acknowledging the gap has been too long. His schedule includes overseas concerts where he can meet international fans personally, take photos, and perform—describing these opportunities as “finding another form of happiness.”