He became hostile towards a fan who talked about the scandal.
From ex LABOUM member and ex-wife Yulhee‘s damning complaint, including recorded phone calls, FTISLAND member and ex-husband Choi MinhwanThe problem of prostitution has been publicized.
In the midst of the scandal, FNC Entertainment released an official statement saying that Minhwan felt “responsible” for what happened and that he wanted to suspend all activities.
FTISLAND’s Minhwan will stop all activities amidst his prostitution scandal
For FTISLAND member Minhwan Lee HongkiHowever, there seems to be hope that the scandal is not true. In an hour deleted Weverse post, Hongki asked fans to do so “Don’t believe everything so easily.”
Their private life is at stake, but that’s how it ended. What was wrong must be addressed, apologies must be given and responsibility must be taken. But still, we shouldn’t believe everything so easily.
—Lee Hongki
The post, referring to Minhwan’s prostitution as “privacy”, inevitably faced a strong negative reaction. Netizens discussed Hongki’s post and were critical of the ambiguity of the message.
FT Island’s Hongki faces criticism for message on Minhwan prostitution scandal
Although the post has been deleted, Hongki continues to give Minhwan a voice in his Weverse activities. In a comment on Weverse to a fan who referenced his previous post, Hongki came across as hostile and defensive.
In fact, the point is not to verify what Yulhee exposed. The issue is whether or not a father of three went to brothels to prostitute himself. And there is enough evidence to conclude that he did. In fact, Choi Minhwan is now under investigation for prostitution, so… I don’t know what else I need to know. Just keep in mind that no one wants to support someone who frequently flies into a prostitution brothel. Good job for today’s performance. I hope you rest well and think once again about what you said.
– Fans
What if he didn’t pay for sex? What if the business wasn’t a brothel?? Will you be able to take responsibility for the things you just said??
—Lee Hongki
From the comment, it seemed that Hongki believed that Minhwan had not sought prostitution in brothels, despite the “evidence” presented in Yulhee’s YouTube video. When a screenshot of the Weverse interaction made the rounds online, K-Pop fans expressed further disappointment towards Hongki. A theqoo The post has since garnered over 1.7K comments invoking Hongki “pick up fights” with fans on the issue.
- “Having escorts at the bar table is prostitution, right? He paid for their time. Having sex is not the only thing that constitutes prostitution.”
- “Oh, I see. So do you think it’s okay for a married man with children to go to an adult club where escort girls serve?”
- “What are you saying…”
- “?????”
- “Even if he didn’t have sex with any of the prostitutes, he should be ashamed of frequenting adult clubs and drinking with escorts when he is a married man with children.”
- “Oh, wow… This is the worst.”
- “What’s wrong with him? Cabbage.”
- “He’s just asking for trouble… Getting his group wiped out permanently.”
- “Oh… I didn’t expect Lee Hongki to react this way. I’m quite surprised and… even more disappointed.”
- “But Minhwan literally asked his pimp friend to book him a room at a hotel/motel. LOL.”
Neither Lee Hongki nor Choi Minhwan have commented since.
Read more about the events leading up to her divorce, according to Yulhee:
Yulhee gives the full account of the events leading up to her divorce from FT Island’s Minhwan
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