The band Jannabi said former member Yoo Young-hyun, who left after being identified as a school violence perpetrator, reconciled with the victim.
Jannabi leader Choi Jung-hoon said in a long post on the fan cafe on the 14th, "I promised that someday I would speak candidly, and I really wanted to keep that promise," as he shared the news.
Choi said, "It was something inseparable from Jannabi, and I felt it was right to inform our fans, so I am pressing down and writing for the first time in a while," and explained, "At the time, Young-hyun claimed he did not do the listed acts, but it is true there was harm by the entire class, so he felt responsible and chose to leave the team."
He also said, "I thought Young-hyun might live out the rest of his life in despair. I believed that as long as he took appropriate responsibility and communicated sincerely, we would someday be able to untangle things step by step."
Yoo Young-hyun was said to have been forgiven through sincere communication with the victim.
Regarding why it took seven years to reconcile, Choi said it was out of consideration for the victim, adding, "I believe the gravity of a crime lies in the heart of the person who was harmed, and that is how it should be. Therefore, we could not rush the time."
He explained that the reason for delaying an explanation was that they waited until the victim opened up.
Yoo Young-hyun reportedly sought out the ringleaders who led the bullying, obtained handwritten apologies and letters from them, and delivered them to the victim.
Choi Jung-hoon also disclosed the victim's response to Yoo Young-hyun's apology. In a letter, the victim said of Yoo, "The sincerity shown by him was courage and a sense of responsibility that went beyond a simple apology."
The victim said, "While reading that letter (the apology letter Yoo Young-hyun wrote to the victim), I found myself in tears," adding, "It wasn't because of resentment or anger, but because it felt like pain that had been locked up for so long was being released."
The victim continued, "His actions and sincerity seemed to untie a knot I had not been able to untie myself."
The victim said, "I now forgive you with my whole heart. I hope only good things fill the days ahead for the Jannabi members."
Choi said, "I spent five years painfully engraving all the words fans gave me that day," adding, "It became an opportunity to reflect more and recognize reality."
He added, "I hope everyone can start a new life in their own place."
Jannabi is a band formed in 2011 by school friends Choi Jung-hoon, Kim Do-hyung, and Yoo Young-hyun. In 2015, they brought in Jang Kyung-joon and Yoon Gyeol and officially began activities as a five-member group. However, Yoo Young-hyun and Yoon Gyeol left the team after causing social controversy in 2019 and 2021, respectively.