Model-turned-entrepreneur Cool K (real name Kim Do-kyung, 44) expressed regret while mentioning past military service fraud.
On the 14th, Cool K released a video titled "There is a Future Even with Wrong Choices" on YouTube.
Cool K stated, "Many people ask me about the 'most regrettable choice in life.' I also have a choice that I deeply regret in my life. In my 20s, I really didn't want to go to the army, and ultimately, I made a very wrong choice," directly mentioning through subtitles that this wrong choice was related to military service fraud.
He continued, "For the next 20 years, I was ashamed and embarrassed, trying to change my past in any way I could, but the more I tried, the more I became trapped in my mistakes. People still point fingers at me as a draft dodger. I deserve to be pointed at for a lifetime," bowing his head.
Additionally, he said, "I completed my military service and fulfilled my military obligations, including reserve forces and civil defense. But these things are not important. What matters is the wrong choice and mistakes I made," adding, "Can I change the choices of the past? No matter how much I regret and cry, that is still my life. It took me a long time to realize that fact."
He emphasized, "I have realized something. There are things we can change. It is the choices from now on. We must put in as much effort as the regrets and wounds of the past. No matter how hard we try, things may not turn out as we wish or change significantly. However, our efforts certainly have meaning and hope," stating, "Let go of the past that you regret so much. Happier days are surely waiting for us. It is now time to move forward."
Cool K was diagnosed as a current active duty recruit and, after paying a broker for military exemption, learned methods to raise his blood pressure, resulting in a 4th-grade classification for public service. He was indicted on these charges and sentenced to 8 months in prison with a 2-year probation in October 2008. He enlisted as an active duty soldier in November of the same year and completed a service period of 1 year and 10 months, being discharged in September 2010.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
