SECHSKIES Members Clash Over Political Differences: “Eun Ji-won is Park Geun-hye’s Fifth Cousin”

In a past episode of MBC’s entertainment program Radio Star, aired in May 2024, SECHSKIES member Jang Su-won revealed an anecdote about a conflict between members Eun Ji-won and Lee Jae-jin due to differing political views.

Jang Su-won shared, “After SECHSKIES reunited, we had a drinking session together. As we’ve grown older, we naturally started discussing topics like economics and politics, which we rarely talked about before.”
He candidly continued, “Eun Ji-won and Lee Jae-jin had a disagreement. I thought it’s normal for people to have different opinions, but as the conversation deepened and turned into a debate, Lee Jae-jin kept teasing Eun Ji-won.” He added, “Eun Ji-won warned, ‘If you do that one more time, I won’t let it slide,’ but Lee Jae-jin didn’t stop, and it escalated to a physical altercation.”
Jang Su-won clarified, “It wasn’t a huge fight, but it seems that as we’ve aged, our interests have naturally shifted to include politics and economics. The two later reconciled, and the conflict didn’t persist.”

On June 2, 2025, a clip from this broadcast resurfaced online, sparking renewed attention. Netizens began speculating about the members’ political leanings and supported parties, with some basing their guesses on past statements or actions, while others argued that “celebrities’ political views should also be respected.”
This phenomenon reflects heightened public interest in politics ahead of the presidential election scheduled for June 3, 2025, with growing scrutiny on the political stances and statements of figures in popular culture, particularly prominent celebrities.
SECHSKIES is a first-generation K-pop group that debuted in 1997 under DSP Media, known for hits like “Couple” and “School Byeolgok.” After disbanding in 2000, they reunited in 2016 under YG Entertainment, maintaining a loyal fanbase. The group consists of six members: Eun Ji-won, Lee Jae-jin, Kim Jae-duck, Kang Sung-hoon, Jang Su-won, and Ko Ji-yong (who left the entertainment industry but occasionally participates in group activities).

Eun Ji-won, the group’s leader, is known for his solo music career and frequent appearances on variety shows like 2 Days & 1 Night. His connection to former President Park Geun-hye, as her fifth cousin, has occasionally drawn public attention, particularly when political discussions arise. Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s president from 2013 to 2017, was impeached and removed from office following a corruption scandal, making her a polarizing figure in Korean politics.