Ju Hak Nyeon, former member of “The Boyz”, has spoken publicly about the prostitution scandal that led to him being fired from the group.
In a heartfelt and emotional statement, the 26-year-old former idol said his agency, One Hundred Entertainment, failed to protect him from the allegations and had instead terminated his contract in June 2025.
The scandal erupted in June, when Japanese tabloid Shukan Bunshun published photographs of the idol’s meeting with former Japanese adult film actress Asuka Kirara in Tokyo’s Roppongi district in late May. Industry insiders later told the media that they had done so paid for sexaccusations that have rocked the world of K-pop.
Notably, Ju Hak Nyeon had voluntarily disclosed the photographs to One Hundred Entertainment before the media broke the story, seeking the company’s assistance for damage control. However, the situation quickly worsened after his first revelation, he said Advertising billboard.
When the agency was confronted with the evidence during the internal investigation, it admitted to meeting Asuka but consistently denied engaging in prostitution. He was subsequently presented with a resolution agreement requiring him to pay more than 2 billion Korean won – about $1.4 million – in compensation and penalties, even though these figures exceeded what the contract allowed.
“I said I wouldn’t sign it, that I couldn’t accept this amount. Realistically, if I paid it, it would be the end of my life. I would go bankrupt,” he said. he said in the statement.
Within days, One Hundred Entertainment announced its removal from The Boyz and termination of its contract on June 18, citing damage to the group’s reputation. The agency later amended its lawsuit, increasing its demands to nearly 8 billion won — about $5.5 million — without explanation.
In his statement, the idol said he believes the agency deliberately leaked the photographs he submitted to them at Shukan Bunshun publication to justify his removal from the group.
The police acquitted Ju Hak Nyeon of the charges in July 2025 due to insufficient evidence. He has since filed a lawsuit against One Hundred Entertainment for removing him from the group without just reason. It has also taken legal action against several publications for spreading false information, for Hauterrfly.
