South Korean singer Ju Hak-nyeon has admitted in a letter of apology to meeting a former Japanese adult actress, but denied rumours of being involved in prostitution activities.
The apology on June 19 came after he was booted from K-pop boy band The Boyz on June 18.
His agency One Hundred Label had announced on June 16 that the 26-year-old would be taking a break for personal reasons, without providing details.
A Japanese media outlet then reported that Ju had a personal meeting with a Japanese adult film actress-turned-influencer, who is 11 years his senior, in Tokyo. The outlet added that he had allegedly paid for sex with the woman.
One Hundred Label announced on June 18 that Ju will leave The Boyz and that his exclusive contract with the agency has been terminated.
On June 19, Ju uploaded a handwritten letter on social media, in which he apologised for his behaviour.
He admitted that he had a drink with an actress, along with acquaintances, in May. But he said he did not pay for sex, insisting that he had not committed any illegal acts.
The Boyz, originally a 12-man act, debuted in 2017 with the EP The First. One member, Hwall, departed in October 2019 and the band released their first studio album, Reveal, in 2020.
They launched their third studio album, Unexpected, in March. It was the band’s first release since signing with One Hundred Label in late 2024 after leaving management company IST Entertainment. – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
