The aftermath of Joo Haknyeon's prostitution suspicion… MC Mong is also in a state of 'exclusion from work.' Amid the spread of allegations, will he break his silence?
The personal life controversy of Joo Haknyeon, a former member of the boy group The Boyz, has escalated to suspicions of prostitution, leading to his departure, while singer and producer MC Mong, who is both a member of the same agency and a co-founder, has also become the center of controversy.
On the 18th, Japanese media Shūkan Bunshun reported that Joo Haknyeon had drinks with influencer Asuka Kirara, who is a former adult film actress, at a private bar in Roppongi, Tokyo, and that they engaged in hugging and physical contact, as well as exchanging payment after sexual relations. This report quickly spread domestically, and Joo Haknyeon confirmed the termination of his exclusive contract with his agency, 100, on the 16th, beginning the process of leaving the group.
However, the repercussions did not stop there. Following reports that a producer from the same 100 agency was also implicated in prostitution, it was reported that he was excluded from work, and some speculate that this individual could be MC Mong.
Previously, the agency 100 announced on the 13th that MC Mong was excluded from all work due to personal circumstances and had stepped down from his role as head producer. Although the exclusion had already been implemented before Joo Haknyeon's controversy erupted, the specific reasons associated with that timing have not been disclosed, leading to speculation of involvement.
MC Mong is a co-founder and head producer of 100, and has been actively involved, including producing the agency's girl group 'Bad Villain' last year. He has been familiar to the public as a singer and broadcaster, and until recently, he has participated in producing artist albums, maintaining his musical influence.
With him stepping away from work and Joo Haknyeon, a fellow artist from the same agency, leaving amid prostitution allegations, suspicions about MC Mong are naturally being raised. However, MC Mong's side has not issued any official statement regarding these allegations as of now. Above all, as the silence lengthens, questions are amplifying online. Although unrelated to the actual controversy, since scandals of affiliated artists have followed one after another, there are opinions that MC Mong, as a co-representative, needs to provide at least a minimal explanation.
The Boyz ended its exclusive contract with IST Entertainment last year and moved to 100, co-founded by MC Mong and the chairman of Peak. Joo Haknyeon had played a key role in the group but is leaving after eight years due to this controversy. MC Mong's future actions and statements are expected to become another critical turning point in this situation.
Meanwhile, 100 Label is a company co-founded by MC Mong and Cha Ga Won, the chairman of Peak Group, and includes The Boyz and Kim Dae Ho among its roster. It is the parent company of Big Planet Made Entertainment, which houses singer and actor Lee Seung Gi, comedian Lee Sugeun, Ha Sung Woon, Lee Mujin, and BIBI, and INB100, which includes EXO's Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiumin.
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