A video circulating rapidly on social media sparked criticism toward THE BOYZ member Sunwoo, with comments stating he was “impolite” and “didn’t pick up the item he dropped himself.” In Korean culture, it is considered respectful to receive items with both hands, so Sunwoo’s behavior was perceived by many as disrespectful.
Nana, a former member of the girl group After School and now an actress, publicly criticized Sunwoo by commenting on the video, saying, “He needs to be scolded,” and “You can tell a lot from one small thing.” Her remarks sparked a heated exchange between her and Sunwoo’s fans, but Nana stood by her opinion, emphasizing that she found Sunwoo’s actions shocking.
In response, Sunwoo took to a fan communication platform to express his frustration, claiming he never ordered the security guard to pick up his AirPods in front of fans. He explained that he would never raise his voice in that way and insisted the incident was a misunderstanding. He also noted that he regularly expresses gratitude and that this situation was a result of misinterpretation.
On April 13, Sunwoo’s agency, IST Entertainment, released an official apology. The company admitted to mismanaging the artist and issued a formal apology. They stated that Sunwoo is reflecting on his actions and promised to prevent such incidents from happening again. They also announced that they are preparing strong legal action against malicious comments in order to protect their artists.
While some fans defended Sunwoo, claiming the video lacked context and had been edited, many netizens criticized his actions as careless. The controversy intensified following Nana’s remarks, further escalating the conflict between her and Sunwoo’s supporters.
This incident highlights how the behavior and attitude of K-pop idols can significantly impact public perception. Both the agency and the artist acknowledged the need for better management and self-reflection.
In Korea, there is a strong emphasis on manners. The general public pointed out that Seonwoo’s behavior appeared somewhat immature.
