Park Ji Hoon has always been the kind of person who sets a goal and sticks to it — whether that’s becoming one of Wanna One’s most beloved members, or transitioning into a critically praised actor with Weak Hero Class 1. And now, as he gears up for his next K-drama, he’s quietly reaffirming a dream he’s held since he was 20 years old: enlisting in South Korea’s Marine Corps.
For more K-drama news, Korean celebrity updates, and entertainment coverage, visit TechnoSports and our Korean Entertainment section.
Park Ji Hoon- The Marine Corps Dream — Why It’s Now or Never
During an appearance on actor Kim Jung Nan’s YouTube channel, Park Ji Hoon lightly touched on the topic of wanting to join the Marine Corps. When the host asked about his enlistment plans, he did not hesitate to share: “Next year I really have to go.”
The reason for the urgency is a hard deadline. Opening up about how the Marine Corps has an age limit of 29, and being 28 currently in the Korean age system, it really puts him in a spot with only one trip around the sun left to make it happen. While others warn him of regretting his decision to join the Marines, it only makes the actor want to join it that much more.
That response alone tells you everything about Park Ji Hoon’s character. When people push back, he leans in harder — which is exactly the kind of energy the Marine Corps demands anyway. You can learn more about South Korea’s mandatory military service system on Wikipedia to understand why this decision carries so much weight for Korean celebrities.
Dream He’s Held Since He Was 20
This isn’t a passing thought or a spontaneous declaration. Earlier during the day at a press conference, as reported by News 1, he shared that joining the ROK Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance was a dream of his since he was 20, and that had not yet changed. BloxInformer
That’s nearly a decade of holding onto the same ambition while building one of K-entertainment’s most versatile careers. It’s a rare kind of quiet commitment — the kind that doesn’t need to shout to be real
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Park Ji Hoon |
| Current Korean Age | 28 |
| Planned Enlistment | 2027 (Expected) |
| Preferred Branch | ROK Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance |
| Marine Corps Age Limit | 29 years |
| Former Group | Wanna One |
| Upcoming K-Drama | The Legend of Kitchen Soldier |
What He’s Up to Before Enlistment: The Legend of Kitchen Soldier
Before he trades the set for the barracks, fans will get one more Park Ji Hoon performance to hold onto. He will be acting in the role of Kang Seong Jae, a skilled soldier trainee who turns into a famed cook in the military. The show is all set to air from May 11, 2026, on tvN and will be available to watch on TVING as well as Viki internationally. BloxInformer
The timing is almost poetic — playing a military cook just as he prepares for real-life military service. Life imitating art, or art preparing him for life?
The Wanna One Reunion Context
Park Ji Hoon also spoke about how out of 11 Wanna One members, not all were able to join their variety program shoot and new song release, with Kang Daniel having already enlisted in the military. The reunion has a bittersweet undercurrent — members are trickling into their service years, and Park Ji Hoon’s 2027 enlistment would mean another familiar face temporarily stepping away from the spotlight. BloxInformer
