SEOUL, December 22 — A request from a military superior for Seventeen’s Woozi to secure a wedding singer has ignited a debate online, with many questioning whether the situation constituted an abuse of power.
Netizens Question Military Favor
The incident has sparked discussion about the dynamics between superiors and subordinates in South Korea’s mandatory military service.
- South Korean media outlet Seoul Shinmun reported the incident yesterday.
- A sergeant, identified as “A,” asked Woozi to find a singer for his wedding.
- The military maintains it was a personal favor, not an improper order.
- Netizens argue the power dynamic made refusal difficult for Woozi.
Seoul Shinmun revealed that Sergeant A at an army training centre approached Woozi, who began his service in September, with the request. Woozi reportedly did not know A prior to his enlistment. The 29-year-old idol then contacted a “famous ballad singer” friend, who ultimately performed at the wedding in October without charge.
Is it possible to truly refuse a direct request from someone with authority in a highly structured environment like the South Korean military? A military official from the training centre responded to the reports, stating, “After reviewing the situation, we found that it was not an improper order, but rather a personal favour on Woozi’s part. There was no violation of the law or regulations.”
However, this explanation has done little to quell online criticism. One user on Naver questioned, “Was that a favour or did you (Woozi) have no choice but to do it because you were afraid your military life would be ruined?”
Another commenter highlighted the inherent imbalance of power, stating, “Given the nature of the military, which is characterised by a hierarchical organisational culture and obedience to orders, it’s impossible to ignore requests from superiors that aren’t requests. Also, since he’s a famous idol before enlistment, he was in a position where it was difficult to refuse… How is that not a coercive environment, but just a favour?”
An attorney from the law firm Jonjae, consulted by Seoul Shinmun, echoed these concerns, noting, “There are a number of court precedents that have established that it is difficult to refuse a superior’s personal request due to the strict and closed nature of the military organisation.”
Woozi enlisted alongside fellow Seventeen member Hoshi and is scheduled to complete his service in March 2027. Jeonghan and Wonwoo began their mandatory service earlier, in September 2024 and April 2025, respectively.
