Seventeen member Seungkwan has personally addressed a viral “good deed” story that falsely circulated online using his name. The popular idol took to a fan communication platform on August 2nd, stating he had spent a long time debating whether to speak about the issue before bringing up the viral story.
The Viral Jeju BBQ Restaurant Rumor
The rumor in question revolved around a barbecue restaurant on Jeju Island. It claimed that Seungkwan had prepaid 600,000 KRW (approximately 430 USD) at this establishment, reportedly run by an acquaintance, and arranged for fans who visited the restaurant to receive complimentary drinks. As some fans shared online that they had indeed received free beverages, many came to believe the story was true, praising Seungkwan for his alleged generosity.
Seungkwan’s Firm Denial and Explanation
However, Seungkwan firmly denied the claim during his live broadcast. “I have never prepaid money at that restaurant, not even once. It’s simply not true,” he stated unequivocally. He further elaborated on his relationship with the restaurant owner, revealing, “I’m no longer in contact with that friend. We filmed something like a vlog together with good intentions, but after fans started visiting the restaurant, something happened that I can’t explain in detail. It crossed a line that I couldn’t tolerate.”
The idol also expressed deep concern over fans who were negatively affected by the situation. “Some fans were actually harmed. I could never tolerate fans being put in that position,” he emphasized. He clarified his stance on fans visiting the restaurant: “I’m not trying to stop anyone from visiting the restaurant if they genuinely enjoy the food, but I don’t want something I never did to spread around as if it were a heartwarming story.”
Warning Against Impersonators and Scams
Beyond the restaurant rumor, Seungkwan took the opportunity to warn fans about individuals impersonating him. “Anyone claiming to be my friend and saying they can get you concert tickets or connect you with me in exchange for money is lying. I never do things like that,” he stressed, urging fans to be cautious.
He concluded his message by stating that while he may occasionally pay for someone’s meal if they happen to run into each other by chance, he will never leave advance payments at restaurants for anyone. Seungkwan also provided a clear course of action for those who might encounter such issues: “If anyone impersonates me or if you’ve suffered a similar scam, please report it to my agency via email.” This candid address from Seungkwan aims to clear up misunderstandings and protect his devoted fanbase from potential harm.
