"If It's Not Prostitution, Will You Take Responsibility?"... FT Island's Lee Hong-gi Repeatedly Defends Choi Min-hwan

"Don't Believe Too Easily"
Posted on Weverse After Taiwan Performance

FT Island member Choi Min-hwan has been embroiled in allegations of prostitution following revelations from his ex-wife, while fellow group member Lee Hong-gi has come to his defense.

FT Island Lee Hong-gi / Photo by JTBC

On the 25th, after reports about Choi's alleged prostitution surfaced, Lee Hong-gi said, "It was their private matter, and it ended up like this. He should admit his wrongdoing and sincerely apologize. But still, we shouldn't believe everything so easily." He added, "I will protect him. I will endure. That's who we are. What I can do is keep moving forward, even if I get hit by stones."

Following this, Lee Hong-gi faced a wave of criticism. In particular, the phrase "we shouldn't believe everything so easily" sparked public outrage, with many interpreting it as defending Choi Min-hwan. Some criticized, "Why did you defend Choi Min-hwan but quickly cut ties with former member Choi Jong-hoon?" Choi Jong-hoon was convicted in 2019 on charges related to sexual assault involving Jung Joon-young and subsequently left the group. Lee Hong-gi deleted the post but came out more actively in support of Choi the next day.

Choi Min-hwan, Yulhee / Photo by Asia Economy DB

On the 26th, through the official fan community Weverse, he reiterated, "If it's not prostitution, can you take responsibility for what you're saying now?" and "He should admit his wrongdoing and apologize, but let's not believe everything so easily." That day, FT Island held a concert titled '2024 FTISLAND LIVE "PULSE" IN ASIA' in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Despite the prostitution allegations, Choi Min-hwan attended the performance, although his drum playing was done offstage.

Choi Min-hwan married Yulhee, a former member of the group Laboum, in January 2018 but announced their divorce in December last year. Custody of their one son and two daughters is with Choi Min-hwan. On the 24th, Yulhee claimed on her YouTube channel 'Yulhee's House' that the divorce was due to Choi Min-hwan's involvement in prostitution and released recorded phone conversations between Choi and a prostitution establishment representative.