Group Winner member Song Min-ho has been accused by a fellow social service agent of not properly performing duties during alternative service. It is reported that Song Min-ho did not report to work even on the day of his discharge.
According to entertainment media Dispatch on the 23rd, fellow social service agents who served with Song Min-ho at the Mapo Facilities Management Corporation claimed that Song Min-ho did not properly attend work and received celebrity privileges such as schedule adjustments and exclusion from duties.
Social service agent identified as A, who worked in the parking management department with Song Min-ho, said, "I hardly ever saw Song Min-ho," alleging that the corporation provided Song Min-ho with celebrity privileges.
A said, "Normally, work starts at 9 a.m. and finishes at 6 p.m. Song Min-ho never came in at 9 a.m. Instead, the company adjusted his working hours, changing only Song Min-ho's start time to 10 a.m."
A further said, "There were more days Song Min-ho didn’t come than the days he did. Even when he came, he never arrived on time. He would show up after 10 a.m. and then just make an appearance before leaving."
Another social service agent identified as B also claimed, "Song Min-ho barely showed up for work. When he did, he would just lounge around wearing 'AirPods Max' and play games." He added, "The most frequent he came was about twice a week, and there were times when I saw him only 2 or 3 times in a month. He would turn up around 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m., play games for about 20 to 30 minutes, and leave."
B noted that Song Min-ho often didn't return to work after lunch at home, adding, "He might come back around 5:50 p.m. and leave again around 6 p.m." Although with a 10 a.m. start time he should work until 7 p.m., he allegedly clocked out an hour early.
Additionally, B claimed that although the primary task of Song Min-ho's team was answering 'complaint calls,' Song Min-ho was supposedly excluded from this duty.
B said, "Everyone, from social service agents to employees, would handle the calls except for Song Min-ho," noting that "People know Song Min-ho’s voice," which was cited as the reason for his exclusion from duty.
B further remarked, "It’s standard to state your name when answering calls, but they said it's not possible due to being a celebrity."
There was also a duty involving preparing administrative notices and going to the post office, from which Song Min-ho was reportedly exempted due to claustrophobia. B expressed skepticism about his claustrophobia, stating that he smokes behind a crowded supermarket parking lot.
B relayed that Song Min-ho was once advised by a soon-to-retire employee to address his long hair, but "Song Min-ho didn’t even acknowledge it. He attended his brother’s wedding with that hair."
B also mentioned that Song Min-ho didn’t wear the service uniform, saying, "Apparently, the uniform was tailored before he gained weight. He wears Crocs and seems to have various kinds." Both A and B stated there were no "surprise inspections by the Military Manpower Administration regarding appearance and attire."
Previously, Song Min-ho was assigned to the Mapo Facilities Management Corporation in March last year to start alternative service, but from March this year, he worked at the Mapo Resident Amenities Facility. He faced allegations of improper duty performance since going on a 5-night, 6-day trip to Hawaii in October, and it was noted that records tracking his attendance were handwritten, raising concerns about possible manipulation.
Following the controversy, YG Entertainment stated, "It is difficult to confirm the details related to service, but the reasons for sick leave are an extension of treatment received before service," adding that "all other leaves were used in accordance with regulations."
The Seoul Mapo Police Station began investigating a public petition filed on the 18th calling for an investigation into allegations that Song Min-ho habitually falsified his attendance. The Military Manpower Administration is investigating the facts surrounding Song Min-ho’s attendance. Amid the service controversy, Song Min-ho will be discharged today.
Meanwhile, according to Star News, Song Min-ho was discharged as scheduled on the 23rd. He did not report to the Mapo Resident Amenities Facility in Mapo District, Seoul, on his last day due to a sick leave. The person in charge at the facility, who was also at the center of the controversy along with Song Min-ho, was reportedly absent due to other duties.