Following Taeyil from NCT, Ju Haknyeon from The Boyz has also been embroiled in another privacy controversy. Considering the seriousness of the situation, they announced their withdrawal and termination of the exclusive contract, but the disappointment felt by fans and the trouble caused to the team is significant.
Issues related to the private lives of idol stars are continuously making headlines in entertainment news. Amid the controversy surrounding Taeyil, who was expelled from NCT for allegedly gang raping an intoxicated woman, there are also ongoing issues regarding Mina from the girl group IUTEU's affair allegations and Ju Haknyeon's privacy controversy. Amid unceasing controversies, disappointment regarding the management of the private lives of K-pop idols is also growing.
SM Entertainment announced Taeyil's sudden withdrawal last August. They took immediate withdrawal measures after confirming that Taeyil had been accused in a criminal case related to sexual violence. SM stated, "We have recently confirmed that Taeyil has been accused in a criminal case related to sexual violence. While investigating the facts regarding this matter, we recognized its seriousness and judged that he could no longer continue team activities. After discussions with Taeyil, we decided on his withdrawal from the team."
Subsequently, news that Taeyil was accused of gang raping an intoxicated woman came to light, shocking the public. Along with two accomplices, he is accused of raping a Chinese national tourist identified as A, who was unable to stand due to intoxication, at a residence in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, at around 4 a.m. on June 13 of last year. They reportedly met by chance at a bar in Itaewon on the day of the crime, and after A became intoxicated while drinking, they took her in a taxi to Taeyil's residence, where the crime was committed.
Ultimately, the Bangbae Police Department in Seoul sent Taeyil and others to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office without detention on September 12 of last year, and the prosecution indicted them without detention for the special rape charge under the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes on February 28 of this year.
In the first trial held on the 18th at the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court regarding the special rape charge of the three accused of sexual violence crimes, the prosecution stated, "This case involves an incident where an unknown foreign tourist was taken and gang-raped, and the situation is very serious and the crime is extremely reprehensible," and sought a seven-year prison sentence.
Taeyil acknowledged the charges but claimed it was a crime of chance, and in his final statement expressed, "If you show leniency, I will consider it the last opportunity given to me in my life and do my best to live by contributing in any way to society."
As Taeyil's sexual crime case has shocked fans both domestically and internationally, Ju Haknyeon, who recently declared a temporary suspension of activities due to personal circumstances, is also embroiled in privacy issues, adding to the disappointment. When he first announced his activity suspension, he only explained the reason as "personal circumstances", but it became known that it was ultimately a privacy problem, leading to growing ramifications.
According to a report by the Japanese media Shūkan Bunshun on the 18th, Ju Haknyeon visited a bar in Roppongi with acquaintances he had known for some time on the night of the 19th of last month and shared drinks until the early morning of the next day. It has been reported that former adult actress Asuka was present at the gathering, and she was captured in a moment resting her chin on Ju Haknyeon's shoulder and hugging him. Asuka debuted as an adult actress in 2007 but has since retired and is currently working as an influencer.
While there has been no confirmation of the relationship between Ju Haknyeon and Asuka, the fact that a member of an idol group, which is particularly sensitive to privacy controversies, created an issue is itself a significant incident.
Ultimately, the agency One Hundred also released a statement saying, "Upon receiving the news that Ju Haknyeon was involved in a privacy issue, we immediately took measures to suspend his activities and took time to thoroughly verify the facts," and added, "As a result, we recognized the seriousness of the matter and clearly understood that maintaining trust as an artist is difficult. Thus, after thorough discussions with the members of The Boyz, we finalized Ju Haknyeon's withdrawal from the team and termination of his exclusive contract." They emphasized that Ju Haknyeon's withdrawal was a measure to protect the members of The Boyz.
For an idol growing with support from their fandom, personal privacy is a very sensitive area. Considering the influence on fans and society, mature awareness of privacy and thorough management are essential.
K-pop idols are now cultural icons with significant influence in the global market, bearing heavy responsibilities that go beyond individual or team representations. Nonetheless, some careless actions that repeatedly spark controversies leave a mark on the status of K-pop and are regrettable.
[Photo] OSEN DB.
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