Wishing him all the best in recovery! Many K-pop fans might be wondering why S.Coups was granted military exemption. The SEVENTEEN member was injured in 2023 and it affected his enlistment.
S.Coups is a rapper, sub-vocalist, and the leader of SEVENTEEN, as well as the leader of the hip-hop unit. Born Choi Seung-cheol and he was born on August 8, 1995, and raised in Daegu, South Korea. He’s also the oldest of the group, serving as a mentor and hyung (older brother) to all the members. Because of this, he would have been the first to serve in the boy band.
In South Korea, every able-bodied man must enlist for military service by the age of 30 and serve for 18 to 21 months. Some exceptions were made for men who have served their nation in other ways, such as notable elite athletes or classical musicians. Other exemptions are made for men who have been injured and do not pass certain medical examinations.
So why is S.Coups exempted from the military and when is he returning to SEVENTEEN’s activities? Read more below.
Why Is S.Coups exempted from the military?
SEVENTEEN’s company Pledis Entertainment released a statement regarding S.Coups’ military exemption.
“Due to a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee joint, S.Coups underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery and anterolateral ligament reconstruction surgery,” the company said in a statement, via Soompi. Because it was a major surgery, he has been undergoing physical rehabilitation therapy for a long time, starting from last year up until now. As a result, he was classified as Grade 5.”
Men in Grade 5 are exempt from mandatory military service during peacetime, according to the Korean conscription system. However, men who are exempted may be called in as support of the military during times of war. In order to be enlisted, Korean men must undergo an Impairment & Disability evaluation as early as 19 years old to determine suitability for military service. It ends with a military grade examination ranging from Grades 1 to 7, with Grades 1 to 3 allowing the men to serve in the military if they are healthy.
What happened to S.Coups?
What happened to S.Coups? In August 2023, S.Coups tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
Pledis announced on the fan community app Weverse, “On August 10, S.COUPS sustained an injury to the left knee as he was landing while playing a ball game for a content shoot. He was immediately taken to the hospital where he underwent a comprehensive medical examination including an MRI scan. During the examination, a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was identified in the left knee.”
According to WebMD, it could take up to a year for recovery with surgery and intense rehabilitation sessions. Because of his injury, S.Coups was not able to participate in the Follow tour dates in Japan or their variety show Nana Tour, where SEVENTEEN members headed to Italy for a vacation in September 2023. He made appearances in the show when he was in on the plan to kidnap the rest of the 12 members for the vacation with Producer Na Yeong-seok after their Japan concerts.
On Februrary 23, 2024, Pledis announced that S.Coups and Jeonghan, who recently had an ankle surgery, will be resuming their activities in the group. “S.COUPS and JEONGHAN have been receiving post-surgery care since their surgeries for knee and ankle injuries in August and December of last year, respectively,” the company wrote on Weverse. “As a result of receiving constant care and taking sufficient rest, both artists have made a noticeable recovery. They have been cleared by medical professionals to resume their scheduled activities as long as they avoid straining their bodies.”
They will be able to perform at SEVENTEEN TOUR ‘FOLLOW’ AGAIN TO INCHEON as well as their encore dates in Japan.
Is SEVENTEEN having a comeback in April?
Pledis Entertainment also responded to reports that SEVENTEEN will be having a comeback in April. “We will make an official announcement regarding [SEVENTEEN’s] precise comeback schedule at a later date,” they wrote.
Days before the announcement, SEVENTEEN’s tenth mini-album FML was recognized as the biggest-selling global album of 2023 by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).
It was the most pre-ordered LP in K-pop history, landi at No. 1 in South Korea and Japan, and debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
The band’s eleventh mini-album SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN released in October 2023 came in at No.8, credited for making history as the first K-pop album to sell over 5 million copies during the first week of release.
“The global appeal of K-pop continues to extend and S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Migyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon and Dino continue to push the boundaries with their concepts, performances and talent,” comments Lewis Morrison, director of global charts & certifications at IFPI. “FML and SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN were both huge hits across continents and our congratulations go to the group, their team and of course CARATs all over the world.”
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