After officially leaving the group, they unfollowed on social media... The Boyz effectively cut ties with Joo Hak-nyeon.
Following the sudden departure of The Boyz's Joo Hak-nyeon due to allegations of sexual misconduct, members' 'effective cutting off' has been observed.
As of the 19th, Joo Hak-nyeon's account was confirmed to be unfollowed on The Boyz's official social media accounts and each member's personal accounts. This change took place just a day after the official team departure announcement, leading fans to interpret it as 'a substantial distancing beyond a formal breakup' and 'the perception within The Boyz that they could no longer continue with Joo Hak-nyeon.'
Earlier, on the 18th, The Boyz's agency, One Hundred Percent, officially announced the termination of Joo Hak-nyeon's contract and departure, stating, 'It is difficult to continue trust as an artist due to the allegations of sexual misconduct.' The head of the agency, Cha Ga-won, personally issued an apology, acknowledging responsibility, and stated, 'We will reorganize our management system regarding the personal lives and overall conduct of our artists.'
However, official apologies and departure announcements did not restore fans' affection. Although Joo Hak-nyeon addressed in handwriting that 'there were no illegal activities,' reports had already emerged from Japanese media admitting to his involvement in sexual misconduct. Public opinion deteriorated uncontrollably, and the overall image of The Boyz inevitably suffered.
Amidst this, it has been revealed that members have directly severed their online connection with Joo Hak-nyeon, indicating a mood within The Boyz to draw a clear line and conclude the controversy surrounding him.
Fans reacted by saying, 'It must have been an unavoidable choice,' 'the minimum measures to protect the entire team,' and 'it seems they considered the team's responsibilities over personal feelings,' while also expressing complex feelings, such as, 'It feels like all the time spent together has been denied,' and 'the members must have been hurt as much as the shock the fans received.'
Meanwhile, Asuka Kira, a model previously mentioned alongside Joo Hak-nyeon, continues to share her peaceful daily life on social media without any significant statement, leaving the controversy unresolved.
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