As the 2013 College Entrance Exams get closer, many idol stars who are still in high school are giving up college.

The past few years, which have been dominated by idol stars, the issue of whether they will enter college has been one that drew much debate. To someone, college may be a once in a lifetime opportunity and it may be a life changing experience depending on where you go.

This year, students who were born in 1994 will take the exam. Among idols, this means miss A's Suzy, f(x)'s Krystal and Sulli, and 4minute's Kwon Sohyun fall under this category. For guys, EXO-K's Sehun, TEEN TOP's Niel, BTOB's Ilhoon and U-KISS' Dongho would have to take the exam as well.

Suzy, Sulli and Kwon Sohyun have already announced that they will not be going to college this year. On KBS's "Invincible Youth," Suzy had said, "I haven't had time to study like other kids my age have but I may still take the exam." Now it looks like she'll focus more on the job that she has taken already.

Sulli, who just finished the drama "To the Beautiful You," has also given up college. She wants to focus more on her career and 4minute's Kwon Sohyun is also of the same opinion.

The announcements to forego college began with BoA, who had debuted at the age of 13 and went back and forth between Korea and Japan. She appeared on Kim Seung Woo's show and said, "I did think of attending college but the only option I'd have would be to be a phantom student. I wondered if college was necessary for my singing career but that was not the case. Though I didn't go to college, I focused on my career."

Last year, actor Yoo Seung Ho also said he wouldn't go to college and IU also chose that path. She won't take the exam again this year and continue her career. SHINee's Taemin and A Pink's Jung Eunji will also not take the exam.

◆ Why Do They Give It Up?

There are many reasons why idols may give up college. Because there are so many more idol stars than ever before, this is the most competitive time for them. Countless idols are now incredibly sensitive towards rival groups and even others in their own management.

Also becoming a student would be a difficult matter for idol stars whose fan base is mostly among students. They would face criticism if they went to a particular major that isn't based on what they do in real life and people would say that they got into college easily because of their celebrity status. That's why many of them just give up college completely.

In the past idol stars like H.O.T and Sechs Kies released one album a year and many of them had time to actually attend college. However, many singers now never get breaks in the industry and if they're not active in Korea, they're doing things abroad and it's nearly impossible for them to continue their academic endeavors along with their singing careers.

Though people understand that idols are not wanting to face criticism for entering college on any grounds other than their academic achievements, many are concerned. People think that perhaps these young stars are losing the chance to study something they want based on pressure from their management companies. Though Sulli may give up college completely, Krystal has expressed wishes to prepare for it for another time.

One insider said, "It may be a positive for a celebrity to have attended a college but many don't look upon it positively if you decide to go to college while you're still active. Many know that you haven't been able to maintain your academics while being active. Many of them are more passionate about the path they have chosen to take and some of them are incredibly ambitious."