Following consecutive 'hakpok' allegations... Statement demands "Seventeen Mingyu to withdraw"

Group Seventeen's Mingyu
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Amid additional allegations from victims against Seventeen member Mingyu, some fans have issued a 'withdrawal statement.'

On the 26th, a statement demanding Mingyu's withdrawal was posted on an online community. Some Seventeen fans stated, "We demand the prompt withdrawal of Mingyu, who repeatedly committed school violence against vulnerable groups such as women and people with disabilities," and called for a direct apology from Mingyu and an official statement from his agency, Pledis.

They further pointed out, "Considering that Seventeen's main fan base consists of women in their teens and twenties, his violent behavior targeting vulnerable groups such as women and people with disabilities is unacceptable."

They added, "Due to Mingyu's past conduct, the entire group has been stigmatized with the label of school violence, and the public will not feel any sincerity from Seventeen. We demand Mingyu's withdrawal and support only the 12-member structure of Seventeen."

Finally, they said, "We hope that the entertainment agency, which leads popular culture, does not overlook its significant responsibilities, and we strongly urge them to clearly recognize the seriousness of school violence and the importance of artist management through this incident and promptly announce their position."

Earlier, on the 22nd, Mingyu was embroiled in allegations of school violence. A victim, A, who exposed Mingyu's school violence allegations, claimed, "Kim X-gyu was one of the so-called delinquent groups. When I was verbally abused by scary kids in the first year of middle school, he watched the entire situation, threw a cola bottle cap at my face, hitting it, and laughed hysterically."

He continued, "After Kim X-gyu passed the agency audition, he sent a text asking to collect 5,000 won because he had no money to go to the practice room. He also took money from me and once took me to the rooftop to scold me."

In response, a representative from Mingyu's agency, Pledis, stated, "After verification, the school violence allegations are groundless and clearly false," adding, "We do not understand who is making these claims or for what purpose."

However, even after this, other victims, including B, who claimed to be Mingyu's classmates, continued to reveal additional allegations, once again embroiling him in school violence suspicions.

Regarding fans' 'Mingyu withdrawal' statement, Pledis, the agency, has yet to announce its position.