Former K-pop trainee Seong Hyunwoo recounted a harrowing experience of being chased with a knife in Jeju, South Korea, in a recent video, sparking concern among fans and prompting a police investigation.
The incident, as described by Hyunwoo, occurred after a quiet dinner at a kalguksu (knife-cut noodle) restaurant. He had sought respite in Jeju, booking a guesthouse in a secluded area. The restaurant was nearly empty, occupied only by a heavily intoxicated middle-aged man. According to Hyunwoo’s account, the man began berating a foreign waitress who was struggling to understand his order. Hyunwoo intervened, politely requesting the man to lower his voice, a gesture that reportedly escalated the situation. The restaurant owner intervened and removed the man from the premises, appearing to know him personally. Hyunwoo noted that both the owner and waitress subsequently offered him excessive amounts of free food, a gesture he found unsettling.
The encounter did not end with the man’s removal from the restaurant. As Hyunwoo left, he was confronted by the same individual outside, who repeatedly called him over. Approaching cautiously, Hyunwoo recognized the man and was then allegedly asked, “Are you decent at fighting?” Moments later, Hyunwoo claims the man brandished a sashimi knife, the handle secured to his wrist. Fearing for his safety, Hyunwoo stated he slowly backed away and then fled, with the man pursuing him while wielding the knife. He took refuge behind a stone wall until the man’s footsteps faded, before returning to his guesthouse.
Hyunwoo contacted the police, reporting the assault. Authorities apprehended the suspect nearby, finding him still in possession of the weapon, according to Hyunwoo. Months later, he received official notification that the individual had been charged with special intimidation, confirming the severity of the incident.
Hyunwoo first gained public recognition as a contestant on the popular South Korean survival show “Produce 101 Season 2” in 2017, representing The Vibe Label. He was ultimately eliminated, ranking 61st in the competition. Following the show, he signed with ONO Entertainment and has continued to pursue a music career, releasing singles including “No Regrets” (2021), “Let’s Run Away” (2021) and “Just Me” (2023). He released his first mini-album, ‘BE:LOVED’ in 2023, following the controversy surrounding vote rigging allegations in “Produce 101.”
