Lee Seung Hwan Defends Lim Young Woong Amid Political Controversy

On December 26, singer Lee Seung Hwan appeared as a guest on the podcast 'Maeul Show' and expressed his support for fellow artist Lim Young Woong, who has recently faced backlash over his political stance. Lee stated, "Everyone finds it difficult to reveal their political inclinations. I don't think it's fair to pressure entertainers to disclose their views, as it can be a challenging situation for them. They often have representatives to consider as well, so I hope people can be more understanding of their circumstances."

This comment comes in light of Lim Young Woong's recent incident on December 7, when he posted a photo of his dog on social media and received a critical direct message from a netizen questioning his silence during a political crisis. The message read, "What are you doing at a time like this? The president has declared a state of emergency, and the nation is gathering to call for impeachment. I don't expect you to speak out, but your indifference is disappointing. Aren't the people who experienced the emergency in your main consumer demographic?"

Lim responded defensively, asking, "What? Am I a politician? Why should I speak out?" This reaction disappointed many fans who had seen him as a kind-hearted star known for his charitable contributions and well-wishes for their health and happiness.

In contrast, Lee Seung Hwan, who has been vocal about his political views, emphasized that it is not right to force entertainers to express their political opinions.

Additionally, Lee Seung Hwan had previously voiced criticism following the emergency declaration by President Yoon Suk-yeol on December 3. He supported protests calling for impeachment by donating to the organizers and even performed at one of the rallies.

However, controversy arose when his concert scheduled for December 25 in the conservative city of Gumi was abruptly canceled. Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho announced the cancellation, citing public safety concerns. In response, Lee Seung Hwan filed a lawsuit against Mayor Kim for damages, claiming the cancellation caused financial harm to his agency, Dream Factory, and emotional distress to himself and ticket holders, totaling 102 individuals affected by the decision.