Song Min Ho, the talented WINNER member currently serving his alternative military duty as a social service worker, has sparked controversy after failing to report to work following a “poor service” scandal.
On December 18th, it was revealed that Song Min Ho, who has been working at the Mapo Resident Welfare Facility in Seoul since March, was absent from his shift. This facility is where he’s been serving after being transferred from the Mapo Facility Management Corporation, where he began his service in March 2023.
According to Star News, Song Min Ho took sick leave that day for personal reasons. After being classified as a 4th-grade supplemental soldier during his physical examination, he has been receiving treatment for panic disorder and bipolar disorder. However, this comes just a day after allegations surfaced on the 17th, claiming that there were concerns about his attendance and possibly manipulated work records. Despite this, Song Min Ho took sick leave the following day and didn’t attend work.
Meanwhile, Mr. L, the person in charge of the facility and allegedly involved in the “collusion” controversy, showed up for work that day and was reportedly undergoing an investigation. When Star News attempted to contact Mr. L for clarification, a representative from the Mapo Resident Welfare Facility confirmed that Mr. L was absent due to an ongoing investigation related to the scandal. They refused to comment further on Song Min Ho’s attendance, stating they had “no comment” on the matter.
Song Min Ho is set to complete his alternative service and be discharged on December 23rd. However, just before his discharge, suspicions about his service have caused a public uproar.
Adding fuel to the fire, Dispatch reported that Song Min Ho took a 5-night, 6-day trip to Hawaii on October 31st and failed to attend work afterward. His agency, YG Entertainment, responded by clarifying that the sick leave was part of an ongoing treatment plan and that all his vacation days were used according to regulations. They emphasized that there were no violations of the rules.
The Military Manpower Administration, responsible for overseeing such matters, has faced criticism for only beginning an investigation into the situation now, after the controversy emerged.
In addition to this, on the day following the poor service scandal (December 18th), rumors swirled about Song Min Ho’s possible romance with actress Park Joo Hyun. The two starred together in the 2022 Netflix film Seoul National University Operation, and their past public displays of friendship have caught fans’ attention. Song Min Ho had previously sent a coffee truck to Park Joo Hyun while she was filming The Forbidden Marriage, and Park Joo Hyun also attended events for Song Min Ho’s brand launch and solo exhibitions. Both agencies, however, have denied confirming the dating rumors, stating that it’s a private matter.
Song Min Ho debuted with WINNER in 2014, quickly gaining popularity with songs like Really Really, Empty, and Love Me Love Me. Apart from his music career, he has also appeared on variety shows such as New Journey to the West, Sing Again, and Peak Time. His fellow WINNER member Kang Seung Yoon is set to complete his military service on December 19th.
Fans are eagerly watching to see how the situation unfolds, with questions still swirling about Song Min Ho's service and the ongoing investigation into the facility.
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