'Prostitution Allegations' Choi Min-hwan "Suspending Media Activities... Sorry for Causing Concern"

'Controversy Over Visiting Sex Trade Establishment' Choi Min-hwan
"I Feel Responsible for Disappointing Everyone"
"All Media Activities Suspended"

Group FT Island's Choi Min-hwan has been embroiled in a controversy over visiting a prostitution establishment, and his agency has announced a suspension of his activities.

On the 25th, FNC Entertainment stated in an official statement, "Although it is difficult for us to fully understand the personal private matters related to the couple's issues, Choi Min-hwan feels a sense of responsibility for disappointing many fans and viewers." They added, "He intends to suspend all media activities, including broadcasts where he appears with his children," and apologized, saying, "We sincerely apologize for causing discomfort and concern to many people."

Earlier, YouTuber and former entertainment reporter Lee Jin-ho spoke about the divorce of Choi Min-hwan and Yulhee on the 23rd. He claimed, "Yulhee became more active externally as an influencer, which led to conflicts with Choi Min-hwan, who prioritized childcare and family," and "One day before an FT Island concert, he even ran away from home for about 4 to 5 days." In response, Yulhee denied these claims on the 24th through her YouTube channel 'Yulhee's House,' saying, "There was a major incident about a year before the divorce, and from that point, our married life changed 180 degrees." She further explained, "(Choi Min-hwan) touched my body in front of family members and even put money here (on my chest)," adding, "How would someone that age know about establishments like that? Later, I realized such drunken behavior was a habit."

At the end of the video, Yulhee also revealed a recorded phone conversation from July to August 2022 between Choi Min-hwan and a man identified as A. In the recording, Choi Min-hwan is heard saying to A, "I snuck out, so please make a reservation," "They say there are no girls here today," "Please send me the account number because I need to pay 2.3 million won from last time," and "Can you book a hotel I can go to now? A motel is fine too," suggesting that he engaged in prostitution during his marriage.

Meanwhile, Yulhee and Choi Min-hwan married in 2018 and separated last December after about five years. The couple has one son and twin daughters.