The members of the idol group The Boyz comforted their fandom, Dervies, in place of Joo Hak-kyun, who left due to a personal controversy involving a Japanese adult film actress turned influencer.
On the night of the 18th, the members of The Boyz sent messages expressing their feelings to the fan club Dervies through the fandom platform From. Except for leader Sang-yeon, who is currently serving in the military, all members, including Jacob, Young-hoon, Hyun-jae, Joo-young, Kevin, New, Q, Sun-woo, and Eric, sent heartfelt messages to the fans. It appeared that the members reached out to comfort fans following the controversy surrounding former member Joo Hak-kyun.
Jacob said, "I’m sorry for making you worried and anxious by not communicating for a few days after talking every day. I wanted to come by more often and bring only good news for all of you who are struggling and feeling exhausted lately, but I feel very sorry for not being able to do that." He emphasized, "I truly appreciate your waiting and loving us, and I know it’s not something to be taken for granted, so I have been working hard to make sure my gratitude can be conveyed through good music and communication, and I will continue to do so." He added, "As for how much our happiness accounts for the happiness of Dervies, I just wanted to say that I sincerely hope Dervies will only be happy and will continuously work hard for that."
Young-hoon evoked emotions with the longest message. He recalled, "It was so amazing to see fans in front of me when I debuted as The Boyz on December 6, 2017. I wanted to be loved even more by the people right in front of me, so I worked hard every single day and wanted to do better." He reminisced, "When the name Dervies was created on April 3, 2018, I was so happy like a child. Dervies have always cheered for me, no matter what I did, and supported The Boyz wherever and whenever. Seeing such Dervies, I have always thought to myself that I must never let go of the precious existence that Dervies are, and that the reason I can continue this job is because of Dervies."
He continued, "I think I shed tears because of the complex emotions of wondering whether these precious people will always be by my side or whether The Boyz can keep moving forward. Of course, I want to grow even more splendidly than now, and I have many desires, but I know that's not something that can happen just as I wish, so I was more worried." Additionally, he remarked, "I’m sorry for talking so much. Just seeing Dervies smiling made me happy, but now I feel upset thinking I might not be able to see those smiles." He added, "I want to lean on Dervies just this once. I will make sure Dervies can lean on me too."
Hyun-jae carefully opened up, saying, "I find it very difficult to know what to say to Dervies, who seem so exhausted right now." He said, "I don’t know if I can be a comfort to Dervies, but I want to express my heartfelt apology. I believe there are many Dervies whose hearts are already closed from being hurt. I am truly sorry, and if I could turn back time, that’s all I would want to do." He comforted fans by saying, "I will work even harder so that I can happily engage in activities with Dervies. Every moment spent with Dervies has been genuine, and it will continue to be. I know today must have been very difficult too, and though I am still lacking, I will strive to make Dervies feel a bit at ease. I am very sorry for everything."
Joo-young said, "I know better than anyone how heavy and confusing the hearts of Dervies must be today. I’m really sorry to have put you through this situation. Yet, I feel grateful and sorry that you worry about me first and stay by my side warmly. I do not take Dervies’ feelings for granted and always appreciate them deeply. In the future, I promise to be The Boyz who are more proud and trustworthy so that Dervies won't feel uneasy."
Kevin, a Canadian citizen, conveyed his sincerity to fans by rewriting his message originally written in English in Korean. He said, "Dervies, I really understand how much you care for us just by supporting us, but I'm so sorry for tiring you out and hurting your hearts due to various situations. We should be the ones who give strength to all Dervies, but I feel really sorry that we haven’t been able to do so recently." He added, "Even so, I’m very grateful that you still believe in us and support us. I promise to dedicate myself more to my main job and ensure Dervies do not have to worry about such matters. I will work hard so that The Boyz and the name Dervies will never be a source of shame."
New also apologized to fans, saying, "I’m sorry for being late; you must have been very surprised." He expressed, "I needed time to think and organize my thoughts, and I was very worried about facing Dervies." He said, "I hoped you wouldn’t be in much pain, but I’m worried that it seems like you are really struggling. It hurts and weighs heavily on my heart to think that the reason for your pain is just because of liking me. I will work harder so that the people I love do not have to spend dark nights. My feelings of genuine love for you have not changed. My heart for The Boyz remains unchanged, and as I have always said, the reason for my music is still Dervies."
Q also expressed concern for Dervies, saying, "I’m most worried about Dervies right now." He said, "It feels heavy and I’m sorry that we have only been giving you hurt instead of good energy. Performing in front of Dervies is so precious and makes me happy, and seeing each of you smile makes me really happy too. I am very grateful for the immense love and happiness you always give me, and in the future, I will become someone who can give even bigger feelings back to Dervies. I will strive to show you only my best efforts in everything I do and live with greater responsibility. Once again, I’m really sorry, Dervies."
Sun-woo, who recently faced character controversy for saying 'my AirPods' to a bodyguard, cautiously opened up, saying, "I still don't know how to express my feelings or what words to start with, but I ask for your understanding if it's a bit scattered." He firmly stated, "What I want to say to Dervies is that, as the human Kim Sun-woo, I will never act in a way that breaks the trust of Dervies or my own trust." He added, "I am certainly embracing my past mistakes and reflecting on them to become a better person, and I will continue to convey love to Dervies sincerely without stopping. I will become someone who deserves the immense feelings you have willingly given to us and I will treat Dervies sincerely as I have always done."
Lastly, Eric expressed, "Honestly, I don’t know what words could offer even a little comfort to our Dervies. I sincerely apologize for causing you pain and disappointment with various bad news recently. I feel nothing but immense regret." He reflected, "During my 7.5 years as Eric of The Boyz, I have never once been insincere to Dervies, and above all, I have never taken the abundant love received from Dervies for granted or lightly." He said, "So shamelessly, I will try to make another promise. I promise that the precious and beautiful feelings of loving The Boyz will never be something to be ashamed of when looked back on in the future." He concluded, "I feel so sorry and upset thinking about how tired and exhausted everyone must be right now. I hope you will stay by our side. I promise to repay you with even greater love and better appearances. Please believe in us."
Previously, The Boyz member Joo Hak-kyun drew sympathy with the sudden news of his suspension from activities on the 16th. However, just two days after his suspension, on the 18th, a Japanese entertainment weekly, Shūkan Bunshun, reported that Joo Hak-kyun was captured hugging and resting his chin on Asuka Kirara, an influencer who is a former adult film actress, at a pub in Roppongi, Tokyo. Among this, a domestic media outlet also raised allegations of prostitution involving Joo Hak-kyun and Asuka Kirara, adding to the shock.
Eventually, Joo Hak-kyun left The Boyz. However, in the early hours of the 19th, he posted a handwritten apology on his personal social media, apologizing to fans while emphasizing, "I have not engaged in prostitution or any illegal activities." In this regard, the chairman of The Boyz's agency, One Hundred, Cha Ga-won, announced the apology, stating, "From now on, we will take a more responsible approach not only to the artist's activities but also to the environment surrounding them, in order to restore and maintain trust with fans and the public."
[Photo] OSEN DB.
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