Former The Boyz member Jo Hak-yeon, embroiled in allegations of overseas prostitution, firmly asserted that there was no prostitution or any illegal activities. Following his departure from the team, this is his first statement regarding the personal controversy, garnering even more attention.
On the 19th, Jo Hak-yeon posted a handwritten apology on his social media, stating, "First of all, I apologize for the discomfort caused to fans and everyone else due to the article about me."
Subsequently, Jo Hak-yeon said, "I was present at a drinking gathering with acquaintances on May 30, 2025, and while it is true that I was there, I have never engaged in prostitution or any illegal activities as mentioned in the articles or rumors. I am deeply reflecting on my actions, and I sincerely want to apologize to those who were startled."
On the 16th, The Boyz's agency, One Hundred, announced that member Jo Hak-yeon would temporarily halt his activities due to personal circumstances. While the sudden suspension of activities was attributed to personal reasons, two days later, on the 18th, it was confirmed that Jo Hak-yeon had a private meeting with former adult film actress Asuka Kirara at a private bar in Tokyo, Japan, at the end of last month.
According to an inquiry from the Japanese magazine Shūkan Bunshun, Jo Hak-yeon visited a bar in Roppongi with Japanese acquaintances on the night of the 19th and remained at the drinking gathering until the early morning, where he was seen with Asuka Kirara. It is reported that Jo Hak-yeon and Asuka Kirara exhibited physical contact, such as hugging and resting his chin on her shoulder. Asuka Kirara, who debuted as an adult film actress in December 2007, has been active as an influencer since her retirement in February 2020.
In response, One Hundred stated, "As soon as we received information that Jo Hak-yeon was involved in a personal issue, we took immediate action to suspend his activities and took time to closely confirm the facts. As a result, we have taken the seriousness of the matter heavily and clearly recognize that it is difficult to maintain trust as an artist. Therefore, after thorough discussions with the other members of The Boyz, we have finalized Jo Hak-yeon's withdrawal from the team and the termination of his contract."
Subsequently, allegations arose that Jo Hak-yeon had engaged in prostitution, and Cha Ga-won, head of One Hundred and CEO of PIAK Group, noted, "One Hundred humbly accepts that we have been lacking in managing the personal lives and attitudes of our artists and members. We will work to strengthen our management system regarding artists' personal lives and attitudes and focus on education to enhance ethical awareness and internal system refurbishment."
Meanwhile, Jo Hak-yeon gained recognition after appearing on Mnet's 'Produce 101 Season 2' in 2017, and he debuted in the same year with the group The Boyz, continuing his activities.
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