The Feared Korean Soldier: From KPOP to Spec Ops

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Credit:
Show Created by Daniel Turner (B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
Script Writer: Robert de Graaf
Narrator:

Bryan 'Lazlo' Beauregard

[SivvieSivv]

Explaining to an army recruiter that you were involved in K-pop must’ve been crazy 💀

[yourfavoriteshiba]

I ran a support section (tools, maintenance equipment, etc.) while in Afghanistan with a South Korean helicopter unit next door to us. Their commander and a few of their higher-ups came over to tour our unit and stopped by my section. The commander himself told me that I had a well organized area and was impressed. He even gave me and my fellow workers a unit sticker and coin. I had never been so proud.

[thekhoifish]

From blasting K-pop at North Koreans to taunting them with selfoof vests, ROK soldiers have a long history of being based

[aluxtaiwan]

Roof top Korean are also a very famous example of ROK Veteran in civilian clothes.

[Lupintherd.]

From Listing to KPOP to Popping off a few rounds the Korean conscript is not to be insulted for his musical taste and aesthetics while off duty or out of service.

[khalee]

One of US's closest ally. So close as to even share classified tank manufacturing secrets, though it was shared between low level echelons.

[typhoonkwang]

A Korean American here currently serving in the korean army.

I gotta say amazing video you guys made! The details were spot on, but i wanna point out a few outdated details.

New K2C1 rifles have replaced K2s a few years ago from what I heard(at least in the front area). The original K2s are being pushed to the rear replacing the remaining m16a1s there. (K2C1s are basically K2s with picatinny rails and adjustable stock)

At 7:59 in the video, you said that the army is divided into 3 components. That may be right 3 years ago. Currently the army is divided into 2 groups; 1st Ground Command defending the DMZ and 2nd Ground Command managing the rest of peninsula.

[mcwildstyle]

In conclusion if you see soldiers marching alongside the flag of South Korea, run in the opposite direction because you ain't gonna win

[Starwarsfreakst]

My grandpa who was an ARVN officer and instructor actually received training from ROK troops. From the stories I've heard, they were tough bastards and taught him hand to hand combat techniques.

[RealKorean]

My dad was part of ROKMC back in late 1970s joined after Vietnam. He did train with America Marines and with American firearms like the M2 browning and M16

[johnrandolph]

K2's captured in Iraq and Afghanistan are considered exotic trophies to the insurgents in those regions.

Just a random fact I'd put out.

[soya]

Not only K-pop stars but all Korean men are citizens and well-trained soldiers. In fact, a random, random draft in the middle of town can form a nearly perfect infantry unit in an hour. Not all Korean men are the best warriors, but basically they are basic soldiers who can handle AR-related rifles naturally and fire precisely with them. And within 24 hours, you can organize a tank pilot and various heavy weapon specialized soldiers. This is really possible.

[aleksandarvil]

American troops when trees & bushes start speakin' Vietnamese : 😳😨

"Trees" & "bushes" when enemy troops start speakin' Korean : 🤯😱

[ProteinAndSquats]

My Korean American buddy and other Korean American friends never went national service. Their parents did. One day they had a parents vs kids airsoft match. Kids lost. Kids forgot parents were trained/veterans of one sort or another. I am not Korean so it was an interesting cultural phenomena to witness.

[Hiichan]

The kpop idols who go to the military are usually used to tiring training because when they were kpop trainees, they spent a lot of time practicing dance.

[neox]

It's funny to think that a K-pop star could be more skilled in warfare than your average Joe

[kcg]

I did some training with ROK Marines. They were the nicest/deadliest Marines I’ve ever met. Masters of the mountains.

[pabcu]

Do a video on mr krabs during his days in the navy

[dylanhohn]

I feel a little baited and switched lol. I thought this was going to be a specific story about a kpop idol going full Rambo. Sad.

[diomuda]

South Korea is tough. Greetings from Czechia to all brave Koreans.