"Song Minho, More Days Absent" "Only Playing Games with AirPods" Allegations of Negligent Service

Song Minho Testifies on Allegations of Negligent Service
"Met Only 2-3 Times a Month... Hardly Saw Each Other"
"Excluded from Duties Due to Social Anxiety Disorder"

Song Min-ho, a member of the popular group WINNER, has been embroiled in allegations of 'poor attendance,' with claims from fellow social service workers supporting these accusations.

According to a Dispatch report on the 23rd, fellow social service workers who served with Song Min-ho at the Mapo Facilities Management Corporation alleged that Song Min-ho did not properly attend work and received special treatment as a celebrity, including adjusted working hours and exemption from duties.

Group WINNER member Song Minho. Song Minho Instagram

Social service worker A, who worked with Song Min-ho in the parking management department, told the media, “I hardly saw Song Min-ho,” and claimed that the corporation provided special privileges to him as a celebrity. A said, “The regular working hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Song Min-ho never came in at 9 a.m.,” adding, “The company actually adjusted Song Min-ho’s working hours. Only his start time was changed to 10 a.m.” He continued, “He was absent more often than he was present. Even when he came to work, he was never on time. He would show up after 10 a.m., just briefly appear, and then leave.”

Another social service worker B also claimed, “He hardly came to work. When he did show up, he wore ‘AirPods Max’ (headphones) and half-lied down playing games.” B added, “The most he came was about twice a week, and I saw him 2 to 3 times a month,” saying, “He would come around 10:30 or 11 a.m., play games for about 20 to 30 minutes, and then leave.” B said Song Min-ho often ate lunch at home and did not return to the workplace, stating, “Then he would show up around 5:50 p.m. and leave again around 6 p.m.” If his start time was 10 a.m., he should have finished work at 7 p.m., but he left an hour early.

Group WINNER member Song Minho. Song Minho Instagram

B claimed that Song Min-ho was exempted from the main task of handling ‘civil complaint calls.’ B said, “Everyone from social service workers to staff answered the calls except Song Min-ho,” explaining that people recognized Song Min-ho’s voice, which was why he was excluded from this duty. He added, “It is standard to state your name when answering calls, but because he is a celebrity, he couldn’t do that.” Although there was also a task of printing administrative notices and going to the post office, Song Min-ho was excused from this duty as well, citing social anxiety disorder.

B said, “Photos of Song Min-ho with long hair were posted multiple times on social networking services (SNS), causing our corporation to receive criticism. The director, who was one year away from retirement, kindly told him to ‘cut his hair,’ but Song Min-ho ignored it,” adding, “And he went to his younger brother’s wedding with that hairstyle.”

Group WINNER member Song Minho. Song Minho Instagram

Previously, Song Min-ho was assigned to the Mapo Facilities Management Corporation in March last year to begin alternative service, but since March, he worked at the Mapo Resident Convenience Facility. After returning from a 5-night, 6-day trip to Hawaii, USA, in October while working at the convenience facility, his attendance could not be confirmed, leading to allegations of poor service. The records of his attendance were handwritten, raising suspicions of possible manipulation. In response to the controversy, YG Entertainment stated, “It is difficult to confirm detailed information regarding his service, but the sick leave was an extension of treatment he had been receiving before his service,” and “All other leaves were used according to regulations.”

The Seoul Mapo Police Station reportedly received a complaint through the National Police Agency’s online petition system requesting an investigation into Song Min-ho’s alleged attendance manipulation during alternative service and recently launched a preliminary investigation. Meanwhile, according to Star News, Song Min-ho was discharged from alternative service on the 23rd at the Mapo Resident Convenience Facility in Mapo-gu, Seoul. However, Song Min-ho did not attend work on his last day of service, submitting sick leave.