It has been confirmed that a noncommissioned officer at the Army Training Center asked Woozi (real name Lee Ji Hoon), a member of the globally popular K-pop group Seventeen, to help arrange a wedding singer while Woozi was serving as a military trainee.
According to reporting by Seoul Shinmun on December 22, a noncommissioned officer identified as A, who was assigned to the Army Training Center, requested in September that Woozi—who had just enlisted as a trainee at the time—introduce a singer to perform a congratulatory song at his wedding the following month. Woozi reportedly had no prior personal relationship with 'A' before enlisting.
In response to the request, Woozi introduced a well-known ballad singer he is personally acquainted with. The singer went on to perform at the wedding in October, and no performance fee was paid.
The Army stated that Woozi has since been selected as a drill instructor and is now serving in the same training regiment as Staff Sergeant A. However, according to an Army official, Woozi’s future assignment had not yet been decided at the time the request was made.
The Army Training Center explained that there was no coercion involved and that Woozi complied with the request out of goodwill. A spokesperson said, “After reviewing the situation, it was determined that this was not the result of an improper order but rather an act of personal goodwill on Woozi’s part. There were no violations of the law or military regulations.”
Despite this explanation, criticism has emerged that it was inappropriate for a military superior to make a personal request of this nature to a newly enlisted trainee. Some legal experts argue the situation may constitute a violation of the Military Service Act, including breaches of the duty of integrity and the obligation to maintain dignity.
Attorney Noh Jong Eon, managing partner at Law Firm Jonjae, noted, “There are numerous court precedents recognizing that, given the rigid hierarchy and closed nature of military organizations, it is effectively difficult to refuse a superior’s personal request. This point often serves as a crucial basis for legal judgment.”
Meanwhile, Woozi and fellow member Hoshi enlisted together in September.
Korean netizens commented:
"Shouldn’t that officer be demoted or transferred? How are they supposed to serve in the same unit together?"
"Even if he didn’t ask him to sing himself—which would obviously still be wrong—asking him to introduce a third party and not paying them is basically robbery without a knife."
"That’s insane. Why would you even make that kind of request? From a trainee’s position, there’s no way you can refuse."
"This is absurd. Even if it looks like it wasn’t coercion on the surface, he only agreed because he was a trainee trying to keep the peace. If some random stranger had asked, would he have done it?"
"Why does this not feel like goodwill at all?"
"How did this even come to light?"
"If this isn’t abuse of power, then what is? People would still talk even if he paid, but he didn’t pay anything—are they joking?"
"This is crazy."
"It’s clearly an abuse of power."
"This is textbook abuse of authority. How is this not considered abuse of power?"
"But seriously, how did this get exposed? Doesn’t this just put Woozi in a more awkward position?"
"That’s abuse of power, period."
"If this isn’t coercion through rank, then what is?"
"Why wouldn’t you pay the fee? Is this a robbery?"
"Woozi probably gave the ballad singer money."
"I don't think it was out of goodwill. Woozi probably was pressured."
"How can Woozi say no to a military superior? He had to say yes."
"This is so crazy. And the superior didn't even pay."
"Not paying the singer any money is crossing the line."
SEE ALSO: PLEDIS says no leniency as malicious commenter targeting Seventeen is sent to prosecution
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