The past few days have been a whirlwind for The Boyz‘s Sunwoo when a clip resurfaced, showing a brief interaction with a security guard that sparked an “attitude controversy” online. Singer and actress Nana‘s pointed comment further fueled the flames, leading to an official apology from Sunwoo’s agency, ONE HUNDRED.
However, the narrative took an unexpected turn when a story from the recent past resurfaced, casting a completely different light on the young idol’s character. Back in January, an anonymous投稿 on a YouTube channel dedicated to sharing personal stories detailed a heartwarming encounter between a struggling young man and a compassionate “Sunwoo hyung.”
The anonymous poster recounted a difficult life, growing up in foster care and facing homelessness after his mandatory military service, where all his earnings went towards his younger brother’s leukemia treatment. He described arriving in Seoul with nothing, taking on odd jobs, and often sleeping on the streets, surviving on a single cup ramen a day.
It was during a visit to a PC-bang that he met someone online while playing “Battleground” – a “Sunwoo hyung” who was easy to talk to. In a moment of desperation, he half-jokingly asked this online friend for a place to stay for five days. Sunwoo’s response was immediate and filled with concern:”Did you eat?”
What followed was an act of incredible kindness. Sunwoo sent the young man a taxi to Chungdam-dong, treated him to a proper meal of yukhoe bibimbap and grilled meat, and listened intently to his story. Then, without hesitation, Sunwoo asked for his bank account information and sent him an “unbelievable amount of money,” enough for him to stay in a motel and eat properly until his next paycheck. His parting words were even more impactful:
“You don’t have to pay me back. But if you’re doing better later on and come across someone who needs help, make sure to help them out.”
At the time, the identity of this generous “Sunwoo hyung” remained a mystery. The poster only knew him as a dancer. But as the “Airpods controversy” gained traction, the individual behind the story felt compelled to come forward. In a heartfelt comment under his original YouTube post, he revealed the truth: the “Sunwoo hyung” who had shown him such profound kindness was none other than The Boyz‘s Sunwoo.
His reason for speaking out was clear: he couldn’t bear to see Sunwoo being misunderstood based on a short, potentially misconstrued video. He described Sunwoo as someone who readily offered help to a stranger in need, expecting nothing in return but the continuation of that kindness. He vehemently refuted the notion that Sunwoo had an “attitude problem,” stating that the Sunwoo he knew was someone who had even “saved his life” with his generosity.
Many netizens who remembered the touching story from January expressed their shock and admiration.
What are your thoughts on Sunwoo’s act of kindness towards this man? Let us know in the comment section below!
