Former THE BOYZ Member Joohaknyeon Claims Unfair Contract Termination Amid Controversy

Joohaknyeon, a former member of the K-pop group THE BOYZ, has issued a statement asserting that his departure from the group and the termination of his contract were unjust. On June 22, he took to his personal account to explain that he learned about a photo being taken before his agency received an inquiry from a media outlet. He immediately contacted the agency to clarify the situation and seek assistance, acknowledging his mistakes and aiming to minimize any potential harm to his fellow members. He stated, 'I chose to halt my activities right away and discussed subsequent actions with the company.'

Reports surfaced last month indicating that Joohaknyeon had a private meeting with former adult film actress Asuka Kirara at a bar in Tokyo, Japan. This revelation shocked fans, especially since he had previously announced a temporary suspension of his activities without explanation. Following this, allegations emerged claiming that he had engaged in prostitution, leading to widespread speculation about the 'Joohaknyeon and AV Actress Prostitution Scandal.'

Both Joohaknyeon and Asuka Kirara have vehemently denied the prostitution allegations. In his apology, Joohaknyeon stated, 'I was indeed present at a gathering with friends on May 30, 2025, but I have never engaged in any illegal activities, including prostitution, as suggested by the articles and rumors. I sincerely apologize to those who may have been shocked by my actions.' Asuka Kirara also clarified, 'I have never engaged in sexual acts for money in my life, including this instance. The woman who took the photo seemed to have a liking for Joohaknyeon, which led to the photo being sold to the media.'

While the individuals involved have denied the allegations, Joohaknyeon's agency, 100 Entertainment, maintains that the contract termination was justified. Joohaknyeon has expressed disagreement with the termination and claimed that the agency demanded a penalty of 2 billion KRW. In response, 100 Entertainment stated, 'We have terminated the contract with Joohaknyeon in accordance with the terms outlined in the contract, and this action is both fair and reasonable. The essence of this matter lies in Joohaknyeon's attempts to evade responsibility and his repeated distorted claims.'

The agency further warned that if Joohaknyeon continues to make such claims, they will take all necessary legal measures to protect their artists and the company, including submitting evidence to judicial authorities.

In a follow-up statement, Joohaknyeon revealed that the agency unexpectedly demanded he sign an agreement to pay over 2 billion KRW as part of the contract termination. He stated, 'They insisted on an unreasonable penalty that I could not claim under the contract and said there was no room for negotiation. I could not accept their unjust demands. When I refused to sign the prepared termination agreement on the 17th, the next day, the agency suddenly announced my departure.'

Joohaknyeon expressed his concerns about the timing of the allegations, stating, 'Before the article from the media outlet was published, reports about my meeting with the AV actress began to surface, followed by exclusive reports claiming I had engaged in prostitution. I felt as if I had suddenly become a shameless criminal overnight due to the actions of other media outlets, bloggers, and YouTubers.' He also mentioned that someone filed a complaint against him based on false articles, which he found suspicious.

He added, 'I feared that if I remained silent, I would be branded as a prostitution criminal for life. Therefore, I could not stay quiet. I have filed a lawsuit against the journalist who published false reports and plan to pursue civil claims against the media outlet. Additionally, I intend to file a complaint for false accusations against the person who reported me immediately after the false articles were published.'

Joohaknyeon emphasized that the agency's demands for his departure were unjust, stating, 'The original contract specifies actions that damage dignity, such as drunk driving, drug use, gambling, prostitution, assault, sexual assault, and fraud. I have never committed any of the crimes mentioned in that clause. The agency unilaterally expelled me without following the termination procedures outlined in Article 15, Section 1 of the contract.'

He concluded by expressing remorse for his actions, stating, 'I do not claim that my behavior was correct. I sincerely apologize to the fans who believed in and supported me as an idol for my lack of discretion. I will deeply reflect on this and carry it with me for the rest of my life. However, for reasons unknown to me, I have suddenly become a sex crime suspect, and I have felt a desire to die for the first time in my life. It feels like everyone is looking at me and pointing fingers.'

Finally, Joohaknyeon vowed to hold the journalist and media outlet accountable for labeling him a sex offender without any basis and expressed his determination to uncover who is behind these allegations. He acknowledged the difficulty and fear of fighting against a large company but stated that he will endure for those who continue to support him.

Meanwhile, as both parties remain in conflict over the personal issues, Japanese media outlet Weekly Bunshun reported on June 21 that a photo of Joohaknyeon and Asuka Kirara embracing in a back hug was captured in Roppongi, Tokyo. The outlet claimed that the couple was seen hugging continuously, even in front of passersby.