Ju Haknyeon, formerly of K-pop group THE BOYZ, has released an explosive personal statement addressing the controversy surrounding his alleged involvement in a prostitution case and his recent expulsion from One Hundred Entertainment. The singer vehemently denied all allegations, stating he has not committed any illegal act, and announced plans to pursue legal action against both the agency and certain media outlets.
“I have never agreed to terminate my contract”
On June 19, Ju Haknyeon took to social media with a handwritten letter, firmly denying accusations of engaging in prostitution during a private gathering in Tokyo with former Japanese adult film star Kirara Asuka. He challenged anyone to present evidence, stating, “If there is any evidence that I engaged in prostitution, please release it immediately.”
Contrary to One Hundred Entertainment’s announcement the previous day that his exclusive contract had been terminated due to a breach of trust, Ju asserted he had neither withdrawn from the team nor agreed to end his contract. He claims the agency unilaterally sent a certified letter asserting contract termination and demanded over 2 billion KRW (approximately USD 1.45 million) in damages.
Legal battle begins
The singer announced his intention to take both civil and criminal legal action against media outlets and reporters who, he said, published defamatory and baseless stories linking him to prostitution. He also plans to hold his former agency accountable for, in his words, “fabricating contract termination reasons and coercing [him] to leave.”
“Some media outlets are harming my reputation by mentioning prostitution without any basis,” Ju wrote, adding that the agency failed to follow procedures stipulated in his contract.
Pressure and fear
Ju described feeling fear and anxiety throughout the unfolding events but stated that remaining silent any longer would only allow injustice to persist.
“Honestly, I’m very scared,” he confessed. “But I felt that if I gave in here, this society might become a place where people with nothing can be ruined for things they didn’t even do.”
Background of the scandal
The controversy erupted earlier this month after images and reports surfaced of Ju Haknyeon’s alleged involvement in a social gathering with Kirara Asuka in Japan. On June 19, an anonymous complaint was filed with the Seoul Gangnam Police Station, prompting an official investigation into possible violations of South Korea’s laws on arranging prostitution.
Just days prior, on June 16, One Hundred Entertainment announced that Ju would temporarily halt his activities. By June 18, the agency confirmed the termination of his exclusive contract and his departure from THE BOYZ, citing a breakdown of trust.
What’s next
Ju Haknyeon now embarks on a legal battle that could have significant implications for artist-agency relations in the K-pop industry. His public rebuttal highlights the growing scrutiny on how entertainment companies handle internal disputes and reputational crises.
“I intend to go to the very end to reveal the truth,” he stated.
As of now, the investigation is ongoing, and neither the agency nor law enforcement has presented public evidence to support the prostitution claims. Meanwhile, fans and industry watchers await further developments in what is shaping up to be one of K-pop’s most contentious legal battles in recent memory.
