The mandatory military service of a popular K-pop idol has become the centre of an unexpected controversy in South Korea, sparking intense debate among fans globally, including in India. Lee Ji-hoon, popularly known as Woozi of the supergroup Seventeen, is currently fulfilling his national service duties. However, a recent incident from his early training days has ignited online fury after reports revealed an unusual request made to him by a senior officer.
The Incident at the Army Training Center
According to a report by Seoul Shinmun, the incident occurred in September, shortly after Woozi had joined the Army Training Center as a new recruit. A noncommissioned officer at the center, who had no prior connection to the idol, approached Woozi with a personal request. The officer was getting married in October and asked the Seventeen member if he could help arrange a singer to perform a congratulatory song at his wedding ceremony.
Woozi, known for his extensive network in the music industry as a prolific producer and composer for his group, complied with the request. He facilitated an introduction to a ballad singer acquaintance, who subsequently performed at the officer's wedding. Crucially, no performance fee was paid to the singer for this engagement, making it a free service arranged through the idol's connection.
Official Response and Aftermath
Following the emergence of the report, the South Korean Army issued an official statement to address the growing public concern. The military authorities conducted a review of the situation and concluded that Woozi had acted out of personal goodwill and was not coerced by the noncommissioned officer.
The Army spokesperson stated, "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." The statement aimed to clarify that the request did not constitute an abuse of power or an illegal order, as the idol had agreed voluntarily.
In a subsequent development, the Army also confirmed that Woozi has since been selected for the role of a drill instructor, a position typically awarded to trainees who demonstrate exemplary performance during their basic training period.
Netizens and Fans React with Anger
Despite the Army's clarification, the news has provoked widespread outrage online. Fans, known as Carats, and general netizens have flooded social media platforms, including Twitter and online communities, to express their disapproval of the officer's actions. Many argue that the power dynamic between a trainee and a senior officer makes true voluntary consent questionable.
Key arguments from the online backlash include:
- The inherent pressure on a trainee to comply with any request from a superior officer, making the concept of "free will" debatable.
- The ethical violation of asking for a professional service without payment, effectively exploiting the idol's personal contacts.
- The potential misuse of position, even if it was framed as a personal favour.
One netizen commented sharply, "Asking him to introduce a third party and not paying them is basically robbery without a knife." Another pointed out the implicit pressure, stating, "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?"
The controversy highlights the intense scrutiny faced by high-profile celebrities during their military service and raises ongoing questions about the boundaries between personal requests and the abuse of authority within the system. For Indian K-pop fans, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges their favourite idols can face even while away from the spotlight, serving their country.
