FTISLAND's Choi Min-hwan Denies Prostitution Allegations Again

Choi Min-hwan of FTISLAND has once again denied allegations of involvement in prostitution. On December 18, he took to the fan communication platform Weverse to address his fans, known as F.T. Island's official fan club, saying, "I want to say something without the influence of my agency. I feel that being part of a company and a group means I have a lot to protect, and I have never engaged in prostitution." He expressed frustration over the difficulty of proving his innocence, stating, "How can I prove something I didn't do?" He explained that he had gone to the hotel and motel mentioned in the recordings simply to be alone, and he found it hard to ask fans to believe him without concrete evidence. Choi added, "I have no intention of hiding or running away. I sincerely apologize for this situation."

Despite his statements, some fans remain skeptical, questioning his previous requests for items and whether he can fully deny visiting establishments. Choi responded, "I don’t know what you mean by those items, but I have been in a committed relationship for a long time and don’t need condoms. I maintain cleanliness wherever I go, so I don’t understand the curiosity."

Choi Min-hwan faces allegations of prostitution and sexual assault following accusations from his ex-wife, Yulhee. The couple married in 2018 and have three children but divorced last year, with Choi gaining custody. Yulhee later appeared on TV CHOSUN's 'Now Alone' to discuss their divorce, claiming that Choi had visited establishments during their marriage and had assaulted her in front of his parents. The released recordings included Choi asking an establishment employee to make reservations, which fueled the prostitution allegations.

A netizen filed a complaint requesting an investigation into Choi for violating prostitution laws and sexual assault. However, the Gangnam Police Station concluded that there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges. Choi later stated, "In a situation where one-sided claims and falsehoods are spreading as if they are true, I thought it would be better to refrain from making a hasty statement without any results. I wanted to handle this situation well for the sake of my three children. I sincerely apologize to my fans and members for disappointing them. I deeply regret my actions."

In his message, Choi emphasized, "I want to say something to my beloved F.T. Island fans without the influence of my agency. As I mentioned, I have never engaged in prostitution, and how can I prove something I didn’t do? I went to the hotel and motel to be alone, and I hope you understand that. I truly wish for you to know that I am not hiding or running away. I am very sorry for all of this."