The Boyz's Ju Haknyeon Suspended from Activities Following Controversy

Ju Haknyeon, a member of the K-pop group The Boyz, has been suspended from his activities due to a controversy involving a private meeting with former Japanese AV actress Asuka Kirara. On June 18, a Japanese media outlet, Weekly Bunshun, reported that Ju Haknyeon was seen at a bar in Roppongi on May 29, where he was in the company of acquaintances and was spotted engaging in affectionate behavior with Asuka Kirara, including hugs and resting her chin on his shoulder.

The sudden halt in Ju Haknyeon's activities is linked to this incident. On June 16, his agency, One Hundred Percent, announced that he would be temporarily stepping back from group activities due to personal circumstances. Subsequently, the agency confirmed his departure from The Boyz and the termination of his contract, effectively marking his exit from the group.

In their statement, the agency expressed that they took immediate action upon learning of Ju Haknyeon's involvement in a personal issue, stating, "We took the necessary steps to suspend his activities and conducted a thorough investigation into the facts. We recognized the seriousness of the situation and acknowledged that it would be difficult to maintain trust in him as an artist."

They further explained, "After extensive discussions with the members of The Boyz, we have finalized Ju Haknyeon's departure and contract termination. This decision was made as an unavoidable measure to protect the remaining members and the team. As of today, Ju Haknyeon has concluded all activities as a member of The Boyz."

The agency also reassured fans that they would provide unwavering support to the remaining members of The Boyz to ensure their healthy and stable activities moving forward. They apologized for the distress caused to fans and promised to work hard to deliver better news in the future.

While The Boyz and their agency acted swiftly in response to the controversy, fans have expressed shock over the unexpected connection with an AV actress. Asuka Kirara, who debuted in the adult film industry in 2007 and retired in 2020, is currently active as an influencer. Born in 1988, she is 11 years older than Ju Haknyeon, who was born in 1999.

Ju Haknyeon first gained recognition through Mnet's Produce 101 Season 2 in 2017 and debuted with The Boyz in December of the same year.