TEMPEST's Hwarang Enlists in Military After Controversy, Former Agency Comments

Hwarang (송재원), a former member of the K-pop group TEMPEST, has enlisted in the military three months after leaving the group due to a club controversy. TEMPEST, a seven-member group that debuted in 2022, gained attention with their mini-albums and hit title track 'Bad News (배드 뉴스)', which led them to be nominated for first place on music shows just six days after their debut. They were recognized as one of the top fourth-generation boy groups, winning the Male Rookie of the Year award at both the '2022 Brand Awards' and the '2022 Genie Music Awards (GMA)'.

Despite their success, Hwarang faced scrutiny in February when a fan claimed to have seen him at a club during a video call fan signing event. Hwarang's response, stating he had visited the club but did not engage in any wrongdoing, sparked further controversy, especially after allegations surfaced about him enjoying time with other individuals at the venue. His agency responded firmly, stating they would take action against the spread of false information and emphasized that Hwarang regretted his actions and would not repeat them.

However, the controversy led to Hwarang halting his activities in March, and TEMPEST continued as a six-member group. In August, the agency announced that after thorough discussions regarding Hwarang's future, it was mutually agreed to end his contract and conclude his activities with TEMPEST.

Recently, photos of Hwarang in military uniform surfaced on social media, showing him in a beret and gloves, presenting a different image with a sharp gaze and salute. Regarding his enlistment, his former agency, WeMe Entertainment, stated they could not comment as he is no longer an affiliated artist.

Meanwhile, TEMPEST recently appeared on Mnet's 'Road to Kingdom: ACE OF ACE', which concluded on November 7.