"If It's Not a Sex Trade Business, Will You Take Responsibility?"... FT Island's Lee Hong-gi Continues to Defend Choi Min-hwan

Criticism Pours Toward Lee Hong-gi Over Defense of Choi Min-hwan
Police Launch Internal Investigation into Choi Min-hwan's Prostitution Allegations

Lee Hong-gi, the leader of the band FT Island, repeatedly defended member Choi Min-hwan, who has been accused of prostitution. On the 26th, Lee Hong-gi wrote on the fan platform Weverse, "What if it’s not prostitution and not a prostitution establishment?" and asked, "Can you take responsibility for what you are saying now?" This was a response to a fan who pointed out Choi Min-hwan’s prostitution allegations on the same day. The fan wrote on Weverse, "There is more than enough evidence that a man old enough to be a father engaged in prostitution. They have already started an investigation on suspicion of prostitution, so I don’t know what else we are waiting for."

On the 6th, Lee Hong-gi wrote on the fan platform Weverse, "What if it's not prostitution and not a prostitution establishment?" and added, "Can you take responsibility for what you are saying now?"
[Photo by Lee Hong-gi Instagram]

The day before, Lee Hong-gi also posted a message that seemed to defend Choi Min-hwan, inviting controversy. At that time, Lee Hong-gi said, "It was their private life, and it ended up like this. They should admit their wrongdoing and apologize sincerely," but also added, "Still, we shouldn’t believe everything so easily." He continued, "I will protect them again. I will endure. That’s who we are," and said, "What I can do is move forward while taking hits from stones."

Lee Hong-gi did not mention Choi Min-hwan’s name directly. However, expressions like "their private life" were interpreted as his feelings regarding Laboum’s former member Yulhee exposing the private life of her ex-husband Choi Min-hwan. Netizens responded critically to Lee Hong-gi’s post with comments such as, "So he went to the establishment but didn’t engage in prostitution?", "If it’s prostitution, will Lee Hong-gi take responsibility?", and "Defend what should be defended." However, some netizens expressed understanding, saying, "He probably can’t lose a member he has been with again," among other opinions.

Choi Min-hwan, Yulhee [Photo by Asia Economy DB]

Meanwhile, Yulhee, a former member of the girl group Laboum who was married to Choi Min-hwan for five years and divorced last year, revealed related recordings on her YouTube channel on the 24th, claiming that Choi Min-hwan frequented entertainment establishments during their marriage. The recording included Choi Min-hwan telling an acquaintance in the early morning, "I want to go out. OOO says there are no hostesses." Yulhee said, "We were all with the in-laws, and he touched important parts and grabbed my chest. I thought it was just affectionate behavior because he was drunk," and added, "When the puzzle pieces came together, I thought this couldn’t be fixed and there was nowhere to talk about it."

Meanwhile, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul also launched an investigation into Choi Min-hwan’s prostitution allegations. As the controversy escalated, the agency FNC Entertainment stated, "Choi Min-hwan feels responsible for disappointing many fans and viewers," and added, "He will suspend all media activities. We apologize for causing discomfort and concern to many people."