These stars say their career mattered more to them than college diploma


BTS’ Jungkook

(Big Hit Entertainment)

BTS member Jungkook, 19, should be taking the national scholastic exam this year but he chose not to, as he does not plan to immediately go to university.

Jungkook’s group BTS recently entered the US Billboard charts at No. 26 with the album “Blood, Sweat and Tears.”

The star appears to have opted to focus on his career more than his academic credentials.


BTS‘ Rap Monster

(Big Hit Entertainment)

BTS leader Rap Monster, 22, also did not pursue a college degree.

Rap Monster is known for his songwriting and composing skills and apparently has an IQ of 148.

He purposefully decided to use his time to hone his musical career.

On the day of the nationwide college entrance exam on Thursday, Rap Monster wrote via Twitter to the exam takers, “I am reminded of the days when I endlessly pored over problem books and notes. I hope all my dreams and fantasies of a university campus life goes to you. I hope to take up studying again someday, too. I support you with all my heart! May my prayer stay with you throughout the exam.”


Yoo Seung-ho

(San Entertainment)

The 23-year-old actor would be a university sophomore now had he decided to pursue tertiary studies after high school.

However, Yoo chose to enlist in the army straight after high school graduation in 2013.

Back then, as he made the decision, Yoo told the media that, “I want to focus on acting, which I wasn’t able to do while juggling it with academics.”

As soon as he came out of the army, Yoo was chosen as the lead character for the SBS TV drama “Remember: War of the Son (2015).”


IU (Lee Ji-eun)

(Roen Entertainment)

Singer-actress IU, or Lee Ji-eun, is another 23-year-old who decided she preferred to invest more in her career than on extended schooling.

On a TV talk show IU said that it wasn’t the right time for her to enter university.

“I want to go to university when I am ready,” she said, while joking that her high school grades were not good enough.

The successful soloist has a number of albums under her belt. She also played the lead female character in the recently culminated period drama “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo.”

IU received the Prime Minister’s Commendation in the 2015 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards.


Suzy (Bae Suzy)

(JYP Entertainment)

Suzy, a member of K-pop group Miss A and a trending actress, also opted to concentrate on her career rather than go to university.

It seems to have been a good decision as the 23-year-old has risen in stardom.

Suzy became the first K-pop female star to have a waxwork of her displayed in Madame Tusaaud’s Hong Kong wax doll museum.

Few other hallyu stars -- Lee Min-ho, Kim Soo-hyun and Lee Jong-suk -- have wax dolls there.


Boa (Gwon Bo-a)

(S.M. Entertainment)

Starlet Boa is perhaps the pioneer in the movement of idols who chose a career over studies.

The 30-year-old singer decided early on that she does not need a college diploma to become great at what she does.

Instead of going to university, Boa has gained international recognition as a singer.


By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)

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