INFINITE's Woohyun recently hosted a live stream with his co-member Sunggyu and Woollim Entertainment's CEO, Lee Jung Yeop.
The live broadcast started light until CEO Lee Jung Yeop started striking Woohyun over the head, stirring outrage to those watching. (Via Koreaboo)
The live stream started over a couple of drinks when CEO Lee Jung Yeop hit Woohyun on the head. Woohyun told the audience, "Have you seen this? So, he tends to hit me. He is hitting me too hard." To give the fans a closer view, he took off his hat.
소속가수 머리때리는 대표 pic.twitter.com/1b84ya6teX — 울림아카이브 (@woollim_achaive) July 13, 2020
According to Koreaboo, CEO Lee Jung Yeop later demanded Woohyun about the purpose of the live broadcast. When Woohyun revealed that he set it on in Sunggyu's stead due to his mic problems, CEO Lee Jung Yup responded, "Your face weighs 80 kilograms. Stop it."
그 흔한 군백기 자컨하나 안줘서 인스타라이브 켰더니 살쪘다고 후려치기 #울림 #인피니트 pic.twitter.com/R51q04rM4V — 울림아카이브 (@woollim_achaive) July 13, 2020
Moreover, CEO Lee Jung Yeop asked, "This son of a *****, why are you so calm now?" When Woohyun asked him to stop swearing, CEO Lee Jung Yeop quipped, "How is that a curse word? You're my son, aren't you?"
Although Woohyun playfully replied, "I'm not your son. I have my parents," and Sunggyu added, "I feel like CEO is going to regret this tomorrow."
The video eventually started a controversy online because of CEO Lee Jung Yeop's actions.
Several of the remarks from social media users include, "Doesn't he recognize people will be watching?" or "Never mind how close they are, he shouldn't be doing that," and "Why does Woohyun treat him like this?"
"It's not that he, who has used all his resources in casting, did a decent job, but because his artists are naturally gifted with incredible talents. This is his practice of believing that he is all that, and putting down others, one fan said.
캐스팅에 천운을 다쓴기획사 자기가 잘해서가 아니라 가수들이 좋아서 운좋게 잘된건데 본인이 잘난줄알고 갑질,남까내리는게 습관임 #울림 #인피니트 pic.twitter.com/hH60RtH385 — 울림아카이브 (@woollim_achaive) July 13, 2020
CEO Lee Jung Yeop, also known by fans as the "Appa Woollim," produced prominent idol groups like INFINITE, Lovelyz, Golden Child, and Rocket Punch under his company.
And while CEO Lee Jung Yeop and INFINITE are said to be close to each other, netizens still argued that the behavior and attitude he showed during the broadcast still isn't justifiable.