Ju Haknyeon shares bombshell statement about THE BOYZ exit amid prostitution scandal: 'I was branded sex offender overnight'

Time of India

4 hours ago

Former THE BOYZ member Ju Haknyeon has finally spoken out after being swept into a week-long whirlwind of scandal, accusations, and what he claims was an unfair exit from his group. In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on June 22, 2025, Haknyeon offered his version of events that portrays a very different picture from the headlines that have dominated K-pop news recently.
Ju Haknyeon scandal: How did it all begin?
It all began when reports emerged that Ju Haknyeon had met with former Japanese adult film star Asuka Kirara. While the initial reaction was one of curiosity and criticism, things escalated quickly. The Korean outlet TenAsia dropped a bombshell allegation, claiming that Haknyeon had solicited prostitution from Kirara. Though no legal charges were initially confirmed, his ouster from the group led to speculations and left fans heartbroken.
Now, Haknyeon is speaking out, sharing his side of the story in detail as fans rally behind him, calling his sudden exit from the group deeply troubling.
Ju Haknyeon shares a lengthy statement following exit from The BOYZ
Taking to Instagram on June 22, Ju Haknyeon shared a detailed statement revealing what happened behind the scenes after the scandal broke. He stated that he informed his agency before the media got involved and claimed he was later hit with a hefty contract termination fee.
'Before the agency received an inquiry from Shūkan Bunshun, I was the first to hear that photos had been taken. I immediately explained the situation truthfully to the company and asked for their help.'
According to Haknyeon, he didn't try to cover anything up. He claims he came clean to his agency, IST Entertainment, before any media reached out and asked for their guidance in handling the matter responsibly. He also says he acknowledged his mistake—but not the crime he's being accused of.
'I acknowledge the part where I was in the wrong and tried to make choices that would minimise the damage to the other members.'
Here, he seems to admit to at least part of the allegations—likely the fact that he met with Kirara—but insists that his intention was never to cause harm to his groupmates or fans.
'The agency sent a termination agreement… and a massive penalty.'
'However, the agency suddenly sent over a termination agreement and an agreement statement that asked I pay over ₩2.00 billion KRW (about $1.46 million USD). They also asked for a massive penalty amount that is not even claimable under the terms of our contract.'
Haknyeon claimed that the agency demanded a staggering financial penalty and pushed for immediate contract termination without negotiation. The suddenness of the demand seems to have caught him off guard.
'Unable to accept such an unreasonable demand, I refused to sign the termination agreement on June 17, 2025. The very next day, the agency abruptly released an official statement announcing my departure from the group.'
This timeline suggests he was essentially forced out of THE BOYZ before any criminal article had even gone public. To him, that felt suspicious.
'I was instantly branded a sex offender… within two days'
'Immediately after, reports started appearing about me meeting an AV actress, and then a shocking exclusive from TenAsia accused me of prostitution. Based on that report, I was instantly branded a sex offender by other media, bloggers, and YouTubers.'
Haknyeon said he became a target almost overnight, not just by the media, but also by online voices eager to jump on the story. The following day, someone filed a police report against him based solely on TenAsia's article.
'The speed and sequence of these events felt too coordinated—it was as if someone was fabricating a reason for my contract termination.'
Haknyeon stops short of directly accusing anyone but clearly suggests he suspects an orchestrated attempt to ruin his reputation. Whether that means from within his agency or by external parties, he doesn't specify.
'I became terrified that if I remained silent, I would be branded a sex offender for the rest of my life. All of this unfolded within just two days.'
Ju Haknyeon files legal action against false reports.
'So I couldn't stay silent any longer. I released this statement and filed a criminal complaint against the journalist responsible for the false report. I also plan to pursue civil action against both the journalist and the media outlet. Additionally, I will sue the person who reported me to the police for false accusation.'
Haknyeon isn't backing down. He's now pursuing legal action against the media outlet, the journalist behind the article, and even the person who filed a police report based on what he claims is misinformation. He's also calling out his agency's vague reasoning for terminating his contract.
'The clause they cited — 'acts that damage reputation' — is too vague… The original contract specifies such acts as DUI, drug use, gambling, prostitution, assault, sexual assault, and fraud. I have never committed any of these.'
'Furthermore, the agency failed to follow the proper termination procedure... and unilaterally removed me.'
'I'm not claiming to be flawless, but this was character assassination'
'On May 30, I am not claiming that my behaviour was flawless. I sincerely apologise to the fans who believed in me... I deeply reflect on my actions and will carry this lesson with me for the rest of my life.'
'But without knowing why, I was suddenly turned into a sex criminal overnight. It felt like a character assassination.'
'I cried endlessly thinking of the fans, my mother, and family who have stood by me. If I gave up without revealing the truth, I would forever be remembered as a sex offender.'
Haknyeon's message is emotional and raw. He doesn't excuse his actions but insists the punishment—and the way it was handled—was far too severe. He says the damage to his name and to the people close to him pushed him to fight back.
'It's daunting to fight a powerful company on my own, but I will endure to the end for those who still support and care for me. Thank you for reading this long message.'
Fans rally behind Ju Haknyeon
As of now, no formal legal action has been taken against Ju Haknyeon, and the prostitution allegation remains unverified. IST Entertainment has yet to address his claims regarding the contract termination and financial penalties. Meanwhile, public sentiment appears to be shifting in his favour, with many fans demanding transparency from the agency and criticising the harsh, often unforgiving standards within the K-pop industry.
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