Super Junior member Choi Si-won intervened when a foreign tourist attempted to light a cigarette at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, according to allkpop. The singer reportedly asked the visitor to stop smoking at the historic site.
The incident took place at the palace, a popular tourist destination in the South Korean capital. Details of when exactly the exchange occurred were not included in the reports.
Multiple outlets, including The Korea Times and South Korean business daily Maeil Business Newspaper, covered the encounter. The Korea Times described the event as Si-won stopping a tourist from smoking in front of the palace, while Maeil Business Newspaper noted that the response drew praise, referring to Si-won as a "common-sense celebrity."
Smoking is prohibited at Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is a protected cultural heritage site managed by the state. The palace is one of Seoul's most visited landmarks, drawing large numbers of domestic and international visitors daily.
The reports did not specify whether the tourist complied immediately or if any further action was taken. No statements from Si-won, his agency, or palace officials were included in the coverage.
The episode has generated discussion online, with commentators commending the singer for addressing the rule violation directly rather than ignoring it. Some social media users noted that celebrities often avoid intervening in public situations to prevent unwanted attention, making Si-won's reported action notable.
What to watch next: Whether Si-won or his management address the incident publicly, and if palace authorities respond with any statement on enforcement of smoking rules at the site.
