ATEEZ’s Wooyoung Gives An Explanation For His “By The Balls” Sweater, Many Left Skeptical
One source of amusement for international fans sometimes comes from the outfits idols wear. This can be for several reasons, but, especially in the past, the unexpected messages on t-shirts.
Recently, ATEEZ‘s Wooyoung joined this club with a surprising t-shirt that became a hot topic.

On January 16, ATEEZ arrived at Incheon Airport, preparing to head to Europe for the European leg of their TOWARDS THE LIGHT : WILL TO POWER world tour. Many were already anticipating Wooyoung’s appearance as he had teased cutting his long hair in the days prior.
NO NO NO NOOOOO DON'T TELL ME WOOYOUNG CUT HIS HAIR NOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/QGmKBXiMmC
— JWY safe place (@JWYcomfort) January 15, 2025
When the group arrived, Wooyoung’s hair did not stand out most about the idol. Instead, the focus shifted to his outfit, including a burgundy sweater that read, “She got me by the balls.”


The sweatshirt is from a brand called SSROOM, and the phrase is a metaphor saying that someone has a hold on you in a way that risks pain if you go against their wishes.
Naturally, the internet exploded as fans and non-fans laughed at the shirt.
congrats to whoever got wooyoung by the balls
— marti (@jwysanrise) January 16, 2025
“SHES GOT ME BY THE BALLS” WOOYOUNG WHAT ARE YOU WEARINGG pic.twitter.com/59z3SX1ruO
— minty | SMB w Hongjoong🕺 (@sunfloweratsu) January 16, 2025
her: im gonna hold your balls when i say this
wooyoung: YASSSSSS 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/OBgHSjajGr— koi (@baby4leafclover) January 16, 2025
Days later, the idol held a live stream, where he talked about the sweater and gave an explanation. According to the idol, he was just given the sweater and did not know what it said, just thinking it was pretty.
He said that after he found out, he immediately took it off and would not have worn it if he knew what it said.
아 썅ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
우영이 스웨터 뜻 알았으면 안입엇을거라고
공항 안에 들어가서 프롬보는데 티니들이 빨리 옷 벗으라고 해서
번역기 돌려보고 ??? < 하고 바로 벗어서 가방에 넣어버렸대 아 미친ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ pic.twitter.com/F765AbpMzq— 딸기🍓 .•♥ (@1chigo_pink) January 20, 2025
Hilariously enough, many fans did not believe his explanation, joking even more about the shirt.
“Do you think I would've wore this if I knew that?” honestly yes 😭 https://t.co/x8dwKojmkJ
— jodi⋆✴︎˚。⋆ (@mtzonfire) January 20, 2025
whats killing me is that i know hongjoong could read that sweater and he didnt say anyhringgkjdhejidb https://t.co/rKZ0caBe3N
— alma 🐯 (@mattwooks) January 20, 2025
Damn I really thought he knew enough English to be able to read it and that he just dgaf😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/r0s9i3hJvk
— chelsea ᥫ᭡ (@makeitdollars) January 20, 2025
If you too would like to be got “by the balls,” the sweater is available for the surprisingly affordable price of ₩50,000 KRW (about $34.90 USD).