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Son Suk-ku Confesses to Secretly Volunteering for Iraq Deployment and Near-Retirement Struggles

Published : Oct 23, 2026 10:33 AM


Actor Son Suk-ku is set to reveal his turbulent life story for the first time, ranging from a major act of rebellion unknown to his parents to the behind-the-scenes story of nearly quitting acting.

In the SBS variety show "Whatever You Want - Secretary Corps" (hereinafter "Secretary Corps"), airing tonight (Friday, October 23) at 11:10 PM KST, Son will share his "Liberation Diary," covering everything from his deployment to Iraq to the story behind his late-blooming debut.

During the broadcast, Son surprised the set by sharing a humorous yet bittersweet anecdote about experiencing the South Korean military after being accustomed to American culture, along with the bold story of how he secretly applied for deployment to Iraq without his parents' knowledge.

Son also recalled the time he contemplated retirement after making his debut at the relatively late age of 35, confessing, "I was about to quit acting." He revealed that just as he was about to give up on acting, he met a pivotal project and helper that completely changed his life, raising curiosity about who the benefactor was that rescued him from the brink of retirement.

Meanwhile, having been liberated from his busy schedule, Son visited an arcade with the "Secretary Corps" members and unleashed his hidden competitive instincts. Impressing everyone with his exceptional shooting skills honed from his Iraq deployment experience and top-tier basketball skills, Lee Seo-jin and Kim Gwang-gyu reportedly forgot all about the competition and showered him with continuous admiration, entering a "Son Suk-ku adoration mode."

Son Suk-ku's diverse charms and turbulent life story will be unveiled on "Secretary Corps," airing tonight, Friday, October 23, at 11:10 PM KST.

(Photo: SBS Entertainment News)