As Koyote member Shinji and her fiancé, singer Moon Won, opened up on air about a difficult period, Moon Won’s remarks have sparked sharply mixed reactions online.
On the latest episode of the KBS2 variety show Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant, the couple—set to marry on May 2—appeared together, sharing their wedding prep and how they felt about last year’s controversy.
Shinji confessed, "If you hadn’t met me, I don’t think you would’ve gone through such a hard time, and I felt sorry." Previously, Moon Won’s past divorce and the existence of his child became known, drawing both public attention and criticism.
Shinji said that after their wedding plans went public, Moon Won’s main work took a hit, explaining that his performances and wedding-song gigs decreased. In response, Moon Won said, "I couldn’t just sit still. I looked for what I could do—I worked at a logistics center and cleaned stairwells. I wanted to help, even a little."
Once Moon Won’s comments aired, the internet split. Some netizens argued, "Why does working at a logistics center or cleaning sound like a uniquely tough choice?", "Plenty of people make a living doing those jobs", and "The wording feels off", criticizing what they felt came across as looking down on certain occupations. Others countered that "his point was that he wouldn’t shy away from any job to keep life going", calling the backlash an overreaction.
On the show, Shinji emphasized Moon Won’s diligence, saying, "People around us say he really works hard." Addressing concerns, Moon Won added, "I believe those worries come from people who care about Shinji. I’ll work harder and show you going forward."
Meanwhile, Shinji and Moon Won are set to reveal everything from their wedding prep to newlywed life on the MBN variety show Nam-ui Jip Gwi-han Gajok.