As band member Na Sang-hyun of Na Sang-hyun Band acknowledged past sexual assault allegations and issued an official apology, scheduled festival performances are also being canceled in succession.
On the 23rd, the Seoul Jazz Festival organizers announced through a notice that "Na Sang-hyun Band, which was scheduled to grant at the '17th Seoul Jazz Festival 2025' on June 1 (Sunday), will not be participating due to personal circumstances of the artist," stating, "The revised timetable will be announced later."
On the same day, the Pentaport organizers noted, "Na Sang-hyun Band, which was scheduled to grant at the 2024 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, has had its performance canceled due to unavoidable circumstances. We ask for the audience's generous understanding." Additionally, the Busan International Rock Festival organizers announced, "We inform you that the performance of 'Na Sang-hyun Band,' which was scheduled to grant at the 2025 Busan International Rock Festival, has been canceled."
Furthermore, the Seoul Park Music Festival operations team stated, "We inform you that Na Sang-hyun Band will not be participating in the Seoul Park Music Festival scheduled for June 29 (Sunday) due to personal circumstances of the artist," adding, "We ask for the audience's generous understanding, and our operations team will continue to do our utmost to provide the best performances for the audience."
In fact, all external festivals that Na Sang-hyun Band had announced their participation in have now been canceled. There has been no news yet regarding university festivals and national tour schedules.
The reason for the series of festival cancellations by Na Sang-hyun Band lies in Na Sang-hyun's official apology. Recently, a post appeared in an online community claiming that the author had been sexually assaulted by Na Sang-hyun, a member of Na Sang-hyun Band. The author stated, "At a drinking party, while the woman next to me pretended to be drunk, I touched her thigh, and if she was sober and said something, I would then be startled, claiming it was a mistake," and, "I am writing this based on what happened and what I heard. I am being vague as I fear being identified. I apologize. There is no evidence as it was a private setting."
While there was no concrete evidence, the fact that the author specifically mentioned Na Sang-hyun and the detailed expression of the circumstances at that time raised concerns, leading to a wait for Na Sang-hyun's statement.
In relation to this, on the 23rd, Na Sang-hyun stated through X (formerly Twitter), "I deeply apologize for the delay in expressing my position," adding, "First, I sincerely apologize to the author and also to those who may have experienced discomfort or unpleasantness due to my past actions."
He remarked, "In the past, I caused harm to the author under circumstances where I do not clearly remember specific details after drinking. I am even more sorry for not being able to deliver my apology in person at that time. I take this opportunity to apologize, albeit late. I understand that it is late, but I would like to personally apologize now. If it is alright, please send me a private message. I ask that there be no secondary harm done to the author."
Na Sang-hyun said, "After being pointed out for my behavior while drinking about three to four years ago, I reflected greatly and have been continuously striving to improve with help from those around me. In the future, I will make deeper reflections and efforts to prevent similar incidents from occurring, and once again, I apologize to those who have experienced discomfort."
However, Na Sang-hyun Band has formed a fandom primarily consisting of female fans due to their correct image and refreshing band sound, and with the truth of the allegations revealed through Na Sang-hyun's official apology, fans are left in shock.
[Photo] OSEN DB, SNS
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