The Boyz member Ju Haknyeon has shocked fans by announcing his abrupt departure. Just two days ago, Ju Haknyeon stated that he would cease activities due to 'personal reasons.' It turned out that he left the team following the exposure of a personal controversy involving a former Japanese adult film actress. In addition, allegations of involvement in prostitution have added to the shock.
The agency, One Hundred, stated on the 18th in an official position, "Upon receiving indications that Ju Haknyeon was involved in personal issues, we immediately suspended his activities and, after verifying the facts, we took the severity of the matter seriously." They continued, "Given the loss of trust in him as an artist, we determined that it would be difficult for him to continue activities, and after thorough discussions with the members, we made the final decision for Ju Haknyeon to leave the team and terminate his contract."
The agency stated, "This decision was an unavoidable measure to protect the members of The Boyz and the team as a whole," adding, "Ju Haknyeon will cease all activities as a member of The Boyz as of today. We will spare no effort to provide full support so that the remaining members can continue their activities without disruption."
Previously, on the 16th, One Hundred reported that Ju Haknyeon would temporarily suspend team activities due to personal reasons, sparking concerns among fans. However, just two days later, on the 18th, the Japanese weekly magazine Shūkan Bunshun revealed the reality of that 'personal reason.' According to the report, Ju Haknyeon was captured with former adult film actress Asuka Kirara at a bar in Roppongi, Japan, on the night of the 29th of last month. Witnesses also reported seeing the two embracing and Asuka resting her chin on Ju Haknyeon's shoulder in an affectionate manner.
Following the report, the controversy surrounding Ju Haknyeon's personal life escalated, and ultimately, the agency took the drastic step of his departure considering the team's image. The fandom, known as 'Dervy,' was shocked by the sudden suspension of activities and the swiftly publicized controversy, along with the news of his departure. The agency stated, "Once again, we sincerely apologize to the fans and will do our best so that The Boyz can provide better news without disruption."
Amid this, allegations of prostitution have also been mentioned. However, in relation to the additional allegations of prostitution, One Hundred has not issued a separate statement. In this context, OSEN reached out to One Hundred for further comment, but there was no response. Late in the evening, Ju Haknyeon personally posted on social media to strongly deny the related allegations. However, he did not make a direct mention regarding his departure from the team.
Meanwhile, Ju Haknyeon gained recognition in 2017 through Mnet's 'Produce 101 Season 2' and debuted as a member of The Boyz, engaging in active activities. Due to his charming image and bright energy, this incident has caused even greater feelings of loss among fans.
[OSEN]