Winner's Song Min-ho Faces Backlash Over Military Service Controversy

Song Min-ho, a member of the K-pop group Winner, has found himself in hot water over allegations of neglecting his military service duties. On December 24, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced via his personal account that an investigation into the service conditions of social service personnel would commence, specifically referencing the controversy surrounding Song Min-ho. Mayor Oh emphasized that while most social service workers fulfill their duties diligently, the misconduct of a few can lead to public discontent and resentment towards military obligations.

The controversy surrounding Song Min-ho's military service was first reported by the entertainment media outlet Dispatch on December 17. After enlisting as a social service worker in March 2023, Song Min-ho began his service at the Mapo Facility Management Corporation and later transferred to the Mapo Resident Benefit Facility in March 2024. However, concerns arose regarding his lack of commitment to his duties. Reports surfaced in April, revealing that Song Min-ho had been sporting unkempt long hair and a disheveled beard, which contradicted the grooming standards expected of social service personnel. Furthermore, he was accused of frequently missing work due to various excuses, including sick leave and personal vacations. Notably, he took a trip to Hawaii from October 30 for six days, during which he did not report to work.

Despite the mounting evidence against him, YG Entertainment, Song Min-ho's agency, stated that they could not provide detailed information regarding the artist's service, claiming that his sick leave was a continuation of prior treatment and that all other leaves were taken in accordance with regulations.

As public outrage grew, complaints were filed with the National Police Agency, prompting an investigation into the allegations of Song Min-ho's manipulation of his service attendance. The Mapo Police Station has begun looking into the matter, including reviewing CCTV footage from the facility where he served.

On the day of his scheduled enlistment on December 23, Song Min-ho again cited sick leave as the reason for his absence. Meanwhile, SBS's program 'Curious Story Y' announced that they were seeking information from anyone who might have witnessed the alleged neglect of duty by entertainers in alternative service.

Additionally, YouTuber Lee Jin-ho released a video titled 'Is Song Min-ho a Cheonryong-in? I Visited His Workplace Where He Reportedly Drives a Supercar,' further fueling the controversy. Lee criticized Song Min-ho's appearance, noting that while there are no specific restrictions on hair length, the requirement for a neat appearance was not being met.

Lee also raised questions about the proximity of Song Min-ho's assigned work locations to his residence, suggesting that the changes in his assignments seemed unusually convenient. The first location was only 2.1 km from his home, while the new assignment was even closer, raising suspicions about the fairness of the reassignment process.

The situation continues to unfold as authorities investigate the claims against Song Min-ho, with many questioning the integrity of the military service system and the privileges afforded to celebrities.