On January 18, it was reported that Hwon had officially resigned from all activities as a member of The KingDom.
GF Entertainment confirmed his departure, citing “personal reasons”. While the official statement did not elaborate further, many fans speculated that his recent personal controversies were the cause behind his exit.
The scandal first came to light mid-last year, when a woman accused Hwon of inappropriate behavior. She claimed he had tricked her into a relationship only to abandon her soon after. In his statement, he said, “You used an innocent woman like me as an excuse, for fear of being exposed. You slept with me and completely ignored me the next day. I later realized that you were an idol and promised to keep it a secret, but you still avoided me.
Adding to the controversy, the woman claimed that Hwon secretly worked as an announcer while pursuing his idol career. She accused him of creating a deceptive facade, saying: “His main job is being an idol, but he also works in a bar. What it feels like to create a facade from head to toe and deceive a naive woman with false words?
It further alleged that Hwon earned money by entertaining wealthy women at the host bar, a popular nightlife spot in Japan and South Korea where male hosts cater to wealthy female customers. However, he said he often avoided engaging in physical relationships with clients.
Born in 2002, Hwon debuted in the Korean entertainment industry at the age of 20 as a member of The KingDom. He joined the group after Chiwoo’s departure and served as lead singer, earning recognition for his impressive vocal abilities.
Below is the agency’s official statement regarding Hwon’s departure:
“Hi everyone.
First, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the fans who supported The KingDom. We regret to inform you that Hwon will no longer be active as a member of The KingDom due to personal reasons. We apologize for the sudden announcement, which may have caused concern among fans. We hope you will continue to support Hwon’s individual efforts and The KingDom’s future endeavors.
Thank you.”
