The Military Effect: Kim Youngdae’s Instant Heartthrob Status While in the Military

Seeing men in military uniform isn’t new to us, but K-pop idols and K-drama actors in camouflage? Stunning. Long before Kim Young-dae became a household heartthrob, he was already stealing hearts in his K-dramas. Despite being known for signature Korean hairstyles—the two-block cut, the bowl cut, and soft curls—the military aesthetic did something fascinating to his visuals: it accentuated his masculinity.

All over the internet, clips of Young-dae during his army training have recently surfaced. Sporting a buzz cut and completely bare-faced, the 30-year-old actor captivates audiences with glowing skin and naturally striking features. In one video, he grooves alongside fellow stars Kang Daniel, Woozi, Kim Dong-hyuk, and Baekho—all charming in their army attire and clean, uniform haircuts. With just a few moves, they managed to enchant fans worldwide with their polished military look.

While going to the gym and having a personal trainer to track your diet and muscle mass is great, training outdoors builds a completely different kind of physique. That is exactly what happened to this man. Months of rigorous, outdoor conditioning reshaped his body, giving him a stronger, more masculine presence and an undeniably sharper silhouette in uniform. The “military effect” is definitely real.