SEVENTEEN member Seungkwan has personally denied a viral online story claiming he secretly paid for fans’ meals at a barbecue restaurant on Jeju Island, while also urging fans to be careful of people pretending to know him for financial gain.
The singer addressed the issue during a live broadcast on a fan communication platform on August 2. He explained that he had spent a long time deciding whether to speak about the matter before finally clearing up the rumors that had spread widely online.
The story claimed that Seungkwan prepaid 600,000 KRW (about 430 USD) at a barbecue restaurant reportedly owned by someone he knew, AllKPop reported.
According to the rumor, fans who visited the restaurant received complimentary drinks because of his generosity. As several visitors shared online that they had indeed received free beverages, many people accepted the story as true.
Seungkwan firmly rejected the claim, saying, “I have never prepaid money at that restaurant, not even once. It’s simply not true.”
He also revealed that he is no longer in contact with the acquaintance connected to the restaurant. The two had previously filmed a vlog together with good intentions, but Seungkwan said problems developed after fans began visiting the business.
“We filmed something like a vlog together with good intentions, but after fans started visiting the restaurant, something happened that I can’t explain in detail. It crossed a line that I couldn’t tolerate,” he shared.
seungkwan clarified on his live that the stories about him paying in advance for carats at his friend’s restaurant in jeju isn’t true, and was also the reason the jeju tourism ambassador svt record was taken down
🍊 there are stories going around saying that i pre-paid for fans’… pic.twitter.com/YEsqPX0Sp2
— 🐻 (@kwansources) August 2, 2026
Seungkwan Urges Fans to Report Scammers
More importantly, Seungkwan said his biggest concern was the effect the situation had on fans. He explained that some supporters were negatively affected, making it impossible for him to stay silent.
“Some fans were actually harmed. I could never tolerate fans being put in that position,” he said.
While he made it clear that he does not want to stop anyone from visiting the restaurant if they genuinely enjoy its food, he stressed that he could not allow a false story to continue spreading as though it were a touching act of kindness.
The idol also used the opportunity to warn fans about impersonation scams. According to ShiningAwards, he emphasized that anyone claiming to be his friend and asking for money in exchange for concert tickets or personal introductions is lying.
“Anyone claiming to be my friend and saying they can get you concert tickets or connect you with me in exchange for money is lying. I never do things like that,” Seungkwan said.
Before ending the broadcast, Seungkwan clarified that while he may occasionally treat someone to a meal if they meet by chance, he would never leave advance payments at restaurants. He also encouraged fans to report anyone impersonating him or using his name for scams by contacting his agency through email.