'Meeting with AV Actress' Joo Hak-nyeon "Expelled Without Agency Procedure... Suffered Character Assassination"

[Financial News] Joo Hak-nyeon (26), a former member of the group 'The Boyz', who was expelled from the team after a private meeting with a Japanese AV actress became known, questioned the termination procedure of his exclusive contract with One Hundred Entertainment. He also reiterated his denial of prostitution allegations, claiming, "I was turned into a sex offender overnight and suffered character assassination."

On the 22nd, Joo Hak-nyeon wrote on Instagram, "I first heard that a photo was taken before an inquiry was sent to the agency from the Japanese media, Shukan Bunshun, and asked the agency for help," emphasizing, "I admitted my wrongdoing and tried to minimize the damage. I immediately stopped activities and discussed follow-up measures with the company."

He said, "However, the agency suddenly demanded that I sign an agreement to pay more than 2 billion won along with the termination of the exclusive contract. They even demanded a huge penalty that cannot be claimed under the contract," adding, "When I did not sign the prepared termination agreement on the 17th, the agency announced my withdrawal as an official position the next day."

He continued, "Even before the Shukan Bunshun article came out, articles about the meeting with the AV actress started to appear, and reports that I had engaged in prostitution were published," saying, "The whole process seemed too prepared and strange. I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was creating reasons for the termination of the exclusive contract. Everything happened in just two days."

Joo Hak-nyeon claimed, "There are unfair aspects to the agency's demand for withdrawal. The original contract specifies 'acts that damage dignity (drunk driving, drugs, gambling, prostitution, assault, sexual assault, fraud, etc.)', but I have not committed any of the mentioned crimes," adding, "The agency expelled me unilaterally without following the termination procedure under Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the exclusive contract."

He also stated, "For unknown reasons, I was turned into a sex offender overnight and suffered character assassination, which made me want to die for the first time," adding, "I will hold the journalist and media company that reported me as a sex offender without basis accountable to the end. I also intend to uncover who is behind them," indicating legal action.

The controversy began when it was revealed that Joo Hak-nyeon had a private meeting with AV actress Asuka Kirara (37) in Tokyo, Japan, at the end of last month. Subsequently, allegations that Joo Hak-nyeon engaged in prostitution were raised, but he refuted, "I have not engaged in any illegal activities." Asuka Kirara also directly denied the allegations.

In his position statement at the time, Joo Hak-nyeon also said, "The agency expelled me from the team unilaterally just because I was with a famous person in a private setting," adding, "I have not withdrawn from the team, nor have I agreed to terminate the exclusive contract." He further stated, "If there is evidence of prostitution, please disclose it immediately."

In response, One Hundred Entertainment countered, "We sufficiently informed Joo Hak-nyeon that the matter was a reason for contract termination under Article 6, Paragraph 3 of the exclusive contract, which states 'acts that damage the dignity of a public culture and arts figure to the extent that it hinders entertainment activities'." The next day, on the 21st, Shukan Bunshun released a 'back hug' photo of Joo Hak-nyeon and Asuka Kirara.


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter