Sunwoo of THE BOYZ Responds to Viral Controversy Over AirPods Incident
On April 13, 2025, Chosun Biz reported that Sunwoo, a member of the popular K-pop group THE BOYZ, has publicly addressed the backlash stemming from a viral video. The footage captured him appearing to shout for assistance in retrieving his AirPods during a public event, and it rapidly disseminated across social media platforms, igniting debates about his demeanor and behavior.
In light of the growing controversy, Sunwoo utilized his official fan communications channel to articulate his perspective and share his frustration. Acknowledging the harsh criticism he received, he stated:
“I would never do anything like that (even behind closed doors), who would be crazy enough to yell at the security guard to pick up AirPods in front of all those fans? I was so dumbfounded…”
He elaborated further, expressing concern over the responses to the brief clip:
“I was trying to reflect on how I might have come across that way, but I am getting so much hate for saying something to the people crossing the line with their comments over a few-seconds clip… people are so scary.”
Sunwoo highlighted that those who know him well would recognize his true character, and he reiterated his desire to maintain a respectful and well-mannered image as he navigates this situation.
Public Reaction: Divided Opinions
The incident has sparked extensive discussions regarding the idol’s apparent conduct and perceived entitlement. Opinions among the public have notably diverged; while some viewed his behavior as inconsiderate, others argued that the clip was taken out of context.
As the video circulated along with Sunwoo’s explanations, responses varied significantly. Critics pointed out the absence of a straightforward apology from the idol. One user on X remarked:
“He didn’t even apologize directly and still plays the victim. He wouldn’t survive a day as a female idol.”
Others characterized his reactions as dismissive, with fans echoing sentiments that female idols typically face harsher scrutiny for similar missteps. They emphasized the existence of gender-based double standards within the entertainment industry:
“Why is it so hard to take accountability for their actions and apologize sincerely? This sounds like a fake apology and more of gaslighting those who saw the video,”one user articulated.
“It’s fortunate that Sunwoo is a male idol. If a female idol had been in the same situation, she likely would’ve been heavily criticized or even cyberbullied by the public,”another added.
On the other hand, supportive fans were quick to point out that alternate footage demonstrated Sunwoo thanking staff for their assistance, arguing that the criticism he faced over the AirPods incident was exaggerated:
“What should he apologize for? The fact that somebody misinterpreted what happened?????? I’m confused on what he needs to be sorry for; he didn’t do anything wrong,”a fan defended.
“K-pop is unserious; why would they attack Sunwoo just because he’s surprised he dropped his AirPods? Shouting doesn’t define anger at all,”another user commented.
Agency Response to Controversy
In light of the escalated situation, Sunwoo’s agency, One Hundred, issued an official statement on the same day, acknowledging growing concerns surrounding the character implications of the video. They extended apologies for their lapses in managing the fallout:
“We sincerely apologize for failing to properly manage the issues related to our artist’s character. We are also deeply aware that Sunwoo’s appearance in the video could lead to character controversy issues.”
The agency also noted that Sunwoo had been reflecting on the incident and regretted how it was perceived. They emphasized their responsibility in handling the matter more proactively:
“However, the situation is unfolding differently than how we and the artist are reflecting, which is unfortunate. We deeply regret that we were not more proactive in managing before such incidents occurred and that the artist acted unwisely.”
Moreover, the agency announced intentions to take legal action against those perpetuating malicious and false commentary aimed at Sunwoo:
“Finally, the emergence of baseless malicious comments in relation to this incident is an issue that cannot be overlooked for the protection of the artist. We would like to inform you that we are preparing a strong legal response regarding this matter.”
As both Sunwoo and his agency work to clarify the narrative surrounding this incident, public discourse on idol accountability and perceptions continues to be a focal point of debate.