Singer Roy Kim. [Newsis]
Singer Roy Kim. [Newsis]

Singer Roy Kim is drawing attention after it emerged that he had promised to perform a congratulatory song at actor Ji Ye-eun's wedding but recently declined to follow through.

In a video titled "Will you sing at Ye-eun's wedding...? (Feat. Roy Kim, Australia Tarzan)" published Thursday on the YouTube channel "Jimjongkuk," Roy Kim opened up to Kim Jong-kook about his stance on wedding song requests from acquaintances.

When Kim Jong-kook asked whether he received many such requests, Roy Kim replied, "Yes, and that's exactly why I can't do it."

Roy Kim explained that performing for one person inevitably draws complaints from others. "Someone will say, 'Aren't I just as close to you as that person? Shouldn't you do it for me too?'" he said. "Some people have even badmouthed me behind my back just because I turned them down." His remarks suggested he feels burdened by the hurt feelings that come with declining a request.

Kim Jong-kook sympathized, saying he himself performs wedding songs as many as five times a month. "I sing for close friends and give a cash gift on top of that — it can get pretty tiring," he said.

Kim Jong-kook then brought up a promise Roy Kim had made on the SBS variety show "Running Man," in which he had told Ji Ye-eun he would sing at her wedding. Roy Kim looked flustered. "Did I really say that?" he said, before adding that he would like to do it if the timing worked out and he genuinely wanted to celebrate — though he stopped short of committing.

Kim Jong-kook then called Ji Ye-eun directly to check the facts. She recalled the exchange and confirmed Roy Kim had agreed to sing. "He said he would do it back then," she said. "Does he really not want to that badly? Is he talking out of both sides of his mouth?" she added, mixing humor with mild frustration.

As Roy Kim squirmed and insisted he did not actually dislike the idea, Kim Jong-kook stepped in to smooth things over, explaining that Roy Kim had made it a firm personal policy — backed by his agency — not to perform wedding songs.


betterj@heraldcorp.com