Jaehwa Bernardo

THE BOYZ member Ju Haknyeon in a promotional photo for the group's album 'Unexpected.' Photo from THE BOYZ's X account

Article (news)

K-pop star Ju Haknyeon leaves THE BOYZ, denies prostitution rumors

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750290027042photo_2025-06-19_07-02-08.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">THE BOYZ member Ju Haknyeon in a concept photo for the group&#x27;s album &#x27;Unexpected.&#x27; <em>Photo from THE BOYZ&#x27;s X account</em></span></span></span></div><p>South Korean singer Ju Haknyeon denied late Wednesday allegations of soliciting prostitution services, which came just hours after his departure from the K-pop group THE BOYZ.</p><p>The 26-year-old idol made the denial in a handwritten letter posted on his Instagram Stories.</p><p>&quot;It is completely false that I engaged in any illegal activity, such as the prostitution that is being mentioned in news reports and rumors,&quot; Haknyeon wrote in the letter, which was <a href="https://www.soompi.com/article/1753486wpp/ju-haknyeon-denies-prostitution-rumors-in-handwritten-apology-after-leaving-the-boyz"><strong>translated</strong></a> into English by K-pop news website Soompi.</p><p>Earlier in the day, THE BOYZ&#x27;s label One Hundred <a href="https://www.soompi.com/article/1753375wpp/breaking-ju-haknyeon-departs-the-boyz-and-agency"><strong>announced Haknyeon&#x27;s departure</strong></a> from the group, citing &quot;issues involving Ju Haknyeon&#x27;s private life&quot; that made it &quot;no longer possible for us to maintain the trust in him as an artist,&quot; according to a separate Soompi report.</p><p>While the agency did not disclose specific details on the issue, a South Korean media outlet reported early Wednesday that Haknyeon was seen meeting with a former Japanese adult video actress in May. Later that day, another report alleged that Haknyeon had paid for sexual services involving the actress.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750290086623photo_2025-06-19_07-02-07.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Screenshot from Haknyeon&#x27;s Instagram Stories</em></span></span></span></div><p>In his letter, Haknyeon admitted to attending &quot;a private gathering with alcohol together with an acquaintance&quot; in May, but denied any involvement in prostitution.</p><p>&quot;I am deeply reflecting on my actions, and I would like to sincerely apologize to everyone who was shocked by this [matter],&quot; he said.</p><p>South Korean pop stars are held to high standards of behavior and are expected to maintain squeaky-clean public images.</p><p>Haknyeon first rose to fame as a trainee on the second season of the hit survival reality show &quot;Produce 101&quot; in 2017. He made it to the finale but missed securing a spot in the top 11 to debut with the winning group Wanna One.</p><p>He debuted in December 2017 as a member of THE BOYZ, a group that has built a substantial fan base with hits like &quot;Thrill Ride,&quot; &quot;Maverick&quot; and &quot;Lip Gloss.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/13/23/watch-k-pop-group-the-boyz-films-music-video-in-siargao"><strong>WATCH: K-pop group THE BOYZ films &#x27;Lip Gloss&#x27; video in Siargao<br/></strong></a></div><p>Earlier this year, THE BOYZ <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/3/17/the-boyz-make-comebackas-sangyeon-enlists-in-military-1711"><strong>made a comeback</strong></a> with their third full-length album &quot;Unexpected,&quot; their first musical project after signing with label One Hundred.</p><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HK75J1Vu5KU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><strong></strong><br/></div>

<p>South Korean singer Ju Haknyeon denied allegations of soliciting prostitution services, which came just hours after his departure from the K-pop group THE BOYZ.</p>

South Korean singer Ju Haknyeon denied allegations of soliciting prostitution services, which came just hours after his departure from the K-pop group THE BOYZ.