The abrupt departure of Joohaknyeon, a former member of the boy group The Boyz, and the termination of his exclusive contract have led to a sharp divergence in positions between the parties involved and the agency, escalating the controversy.
The incident began on the 16th, when the agency One Hundred announced, "Joohaknyeon will suspend his activities for personal reasons." However, just two days later on the 18th, reports emerged of a private meeting between former Japanese adult video actress Asuka and Joohaknyeon, amplifying the fallout, to the point where allegations of prostitution were mentioned, leading to an uncontrollable escalation of the situation.
Immediately following the controversy, One Hundred stated, "We decided to terminate the exclusive contract and the team's departure as soon as we recognized the facts," expressing a strong stance. Joohaknyeon vehemently denied the allegations, asserting through social media that "it is true I was present at a gathering with acquaintances on May 30, 2025, but there were no acts of prostitution or illegal activities mentioned in the articles at all."
However, on the 20th, the agency issued an official statement again, deepening the conflict. One Hundred emphasized, "We express deep regret over Joohaknyeon's unilateral and false claims," and stated, "This matter is judged to be an act that damages the dignity of an entertainer, leading to the decision to terminate the contract."
Additionally, they indicated a potential legal response, stating, "The essence lies in Joohaknyeon's repeated distortions and evasion of responsibility." They added, "We will submit evidence and supportive materials to the judicial authorities and will take all necessary legal measures to prevent further harm."
In response, Joohaknyeon's side continues to maintain that the allegations of prostitution are completely unfounded. He protested that "the agency is pushing as if there are legitimate grounds for termination, despite there being none in the contract," and fans are also reacting by questioning, "If there was no illegality, why did he have to resign?" and, "It is also suspicious that the announcement of the departure came before any clarification."
Currently, within the fandom, voices demanding clear fact-checking and the disclosure of the truth are growing louder, going beyond simple questions of resignation. As the truth contention escalates, attention is focused on whether a judicial authority's involvement will reveal the intersection of both sides' positions.
Meanwhile, the agency stated, "The activities of The Boyz, excluding Joohaknyeon, will proceed as scheduled," and added, "We will spare no effort in providing full support to protect the rights of the remaining members."
[OSEN]