Joo Hak-nyeon, formerly of the group The Boyz, has once again expressed his indignation over allegations of sexual transaction, claiming that there were unfair demands from his agency in the context of his departure from the team and termination of his exclusive contract.
On the morning of the 22nd, Joo Hak-nyeon posted a lengthy statement on his personal account, reiterating his sense of injustice.
On that day, Joo Hak-nyeon said, "Before a questionnaire came from Shūkan Bunshun to the agency, I heard first that a photo was taken, so I immediately explained the situation to the agency as it was and requested help. I acknowledged my mistakes and wanted to make choices to minimize harm to the members. Therefore, I immediately suspended my activities and discussed the subsequent measures with the company."
He added, "However, the agency suddenly required me to sign an agreement for compensation of over 2 billion won along with the termination of the exclusive contract. They even demanded an enormous penalty that could not be claimed under the contract, saying there was no room for negotiation. I could not accept the unfair demands of the agency. When I did not sign the prepared termination agreement on the 17th, the next day the agency abruptly announced my departure as an official stance."
Joo Hak-nyeon stated, "Even before the article came out in Shūkan Bunshun, articles about my meeting with an AV actress started coming out right after, and an exclusive report alleging that I engaged in sexual transaction suddenly emerged. Due to other media outlets, bloggers, and YouTubers basing their reports on that article, I became a shameless sexual transaction criminal overnight. Moreover, the very next day, someone reported me to the investigative agency for sexual transaction based on false articles. This whole process seemed too strange, as if someone was fabricating grounds for the termination of the exclusive contract."
Joo Hak-nyeon said, "I became increasingly fearful that if I remain still, I would be branded as a sexual transaction criminal for life. Therefore, I could not just stay quiet. I announced my statement and filed a lawsuit against the reporter who made the false reports. I also plan to proceed with a civil claim against that reporter and the media outlet. Furthermore, I intend to sue the person who reported me right after the false media coverage for false accusations."
Joo Hak-nyeon claimed that the agency's demand for his departure was unfair, stating, "The original text of the exclusive contract specifies acts that damage dignity, such as (drunk driving, drug use, gambling, sexual transaction, violence, sexual assault, fraud, etc.), which clearly identifies acts that damage dignity. I have never committed any of the offenses mentioned in the above provisions. The agency unilaterally expelled me without following the termination procedures under Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the exclusive contract."
Finally, Joo Hak-nyeon expressed, "I certainly do not claim that my conduct is correct. I sincerely apologize to the fans who have supported and believed in me as an idol for showing careless behavior. I deeply reflect, and I will engrain this in my heart for life. However, for reasons unknown to me, I became a sexual offender overnight and experienced a personal killing for the first time, feeling a desire to die. It seems that everywhere I go, people look at me and point fingers at me."
Meanwhile, on the 18th, the agency of The Boyz, One Hundred, announced Joo Hak-nyeon's departure from the team and termination of his exclusive contract, stating, "Upon receiving the news that Joo Hak-nyeon has been involved in personal issues, immediate suspension measures were taken, and we took time to closely confirm the facts. As a result, we took the matter seriously and clearly recognized that it was difficult to continue trust as an artist."
Furthermore, regarding Joo Hak-nyeon's claims, the agency stated on the 20th, "We have terminated the exclusive contract with Joo Hak-nyeon in accordance with the provisions of the exclusive contract, and we clearly state that this was a just and reasonable measure. The essence of this matter lies in Joo Hak-nyeon's evasion of responsibility and repeated distorted claims. If such claims by Joo Hak-nyeon continue, the agency and artists will take all legal measures to prevent damage caused thereby and will submit relevant documents and evidence to the judicial authorities."
Below is the full text from Joo Hak-nyeon.
Hello, this is Joo Hak-nyeon.
Before a questionnaire came from Shūkan Bunshun to the agency, I heard first that a photo was taken, so I immediately explained the situation to the agency as it was and requested help.
I acknowledged my mistakes and wanted to make choices to minimize harm to the members. I spent several days awake, feeling sorry for the fans who have supported me until now and for the team members who have shared good and bad times together. It has been very painful. Therefore, I immediately suspended my activities and discussed the subsequent measures with the company.
However, the agency suddenly required me to sign an agreement for compensation of over 2 billion won along with the termination of the exclusive contract. They even demanded an enormous penalty that could not be claimed under the contract. They said there was no room for negotiation.
I could not accept the unfair demands of the agency. When I did not sign the prepared termination agreement on the 17th, the next day the agency abruptly announced my departure as an official stance. Even before the article came out in Shūkan Bunshun, articles about my meeting with an AV actress started coming out right after, and an exclusive report alleging that I engaged in sexual transaction suddenly emerged. Other media outlets, bloggers, and YouTubers based their reports on that article, causing me to become a shameless sexual transaction criminal overnight.
Moreover, the very next day, someone reported me to the investigative agency for sexual transaction based on false articles. This whole process seemed too strange, as if someone was fabricating grounds for the termination of the exclusive contract. I became increasingly fearful that if I remain still, I would be branded as a sexual transaction criminal for life. All of this happened within just two days.
Therefore, I could not just stay quiet. I announced my statement and filed a lawsuit against the reporter who made the false reports. I also plan to proceed with a civil claim against that reporter and the media outlet. Furthermore, I intend to sue the person who reported me right after the false media coverage for false accusations.
Additionally, there were unfair aspects to the agency's demand for my departure. The agency's reference to "acts that damage dignity" in the exclusive contract is so abstract that it leaves much room for arbitrary interpretation. Therefore, the original text of the exclusive contract clearly identifies acts that damage dignity as "acts that damage dignity (drunk driving, drug use, gambling, sexual transaction, violence, sexual assault, fraud, etc.)." I have never committed any of the offenses mentioned in the above provisions. Moreover, the agency unilaterally expelled me without following the termination procedures under Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the exclusive contract.
On May 30, I certainly do not claim that my conduct is correct. I sincerely apologize to the fans who have supported and believed in me as an idol for showing careless behavior. I deeply reflect and will engrain this in my heart for life.
However, for reasons unknown to me, I became a sexual offender overnight and experienced a personal killing for the first time, feeling a desire to die. It seems that everywhere I go, people look at me and point fingers at me. Thinking of the fans who have supported and cheered for me, my mother, and my family so far, I could not stop crying. If I give up on life without clarifying the truth, I will surely be remembered as a sexual offender forever. Moreover, if I do nothing out of fear, the unfair misunderstanding will not end with just my life. The fans, family, and friends who have believed in me for a long time will also have to carry the stigma of being the family of a sexual offender and the people who supported a sexual offender.
I will hold the reporters and media outlets accountable who reported me as a sexual offender without any evidence, and I will seek to uncover who is behind them.
From an individual's perspective, fighting against a massive company is daunting and frightening, yet I will continue to endure for the many people who still care for and support me.
Thank you for reading my long message.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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