Kim Dong Wan retracts support for MC Dingdong following public outcry

22 Mar 2026, 05:33 by hjang · allkpop

Kim Dong Wan, a member of the veteran group Shinhwa, has swiftly withdrawn his public support for MC Dingdong after facing intense criticism. On March 22, 2026, Kim Dong Wan issued a formal apology through Threads, stating that his previous post was a "choice of words that failed to fully account for the circumstances." He subsequently deleted the controversial message, expressing regret for his hasty endorsement after realizing the severity of the backlash from fans and the general public.

The controversy ignited when Kim Dong Wan shared a post on his social media account asking, 'Who wants to support Dingdong for no reason!?' while tagging the host. The response was immediate and cold, as MC Dingdong is currently at the center of a violent incident. During a recent live "Excel" broadcast, MC Dingdong allegedly assaulted a female BJ by grabbing her hair after she mentioned his past criminal record. Given that the host had already been ousted from the industry once before for drunk driving and a hit-and-run incident, Kim Dong Wan’s public display of solidarity was seen as tone-deaf and insensitive to the victim.

As the condemnation grew, Kim Dong Wan recognized that his attempt to show loyalty to a peer was inappropriate given the criminal nature of the allegations. By deleting the post and issuing an apology, the Shinhwa member moved to mitigate the damage to his own reputation. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the heightened expectations for public figures to remain socially responsible, especially when dealing with associates involved in moral or legal controversies.

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