Choi Min-hwan "I Did Not Engage in Prostitution... I Went to the Motel Because I Wanted to Be Alone"

"Sorry, No Concrete Evidence"
"No Intention to Hide or Run Away"
Confession of Vasectomy Fact Included

Choi Min-hwan of the group FT Island directly denied the prostitution allegations that arose from the revelations made by his ex-wife, Laboum's Yulhee.

Choi Min-hwan and Yulhee. / FNC Entertainment

On the 18th, Choi Min-hwan posted a statement on the fan communication platform 'Weverse' to clarify the prostitution controversy. He began by saying, "To the Pre (fandom name) whom I love most in the world, I will say just one thing regardless of the agency." He continued, "Being part of a company and a group, I often feel that there are many things I have to protect more than my own position," adding, "As reported in the media, I have never engaged in prostitution, and I was cleared due to insufficient evidence. How can I prove something I did not do? That is why I had nothing more to say."

Choi Min-hwan also stated, "The hotel and motel mentioned in the recordings were places I went to because I wanted to be alone at the time," and said, "I understand that asking you to believe this might be hard to comprehend. It would be better if there was clear evidence, but since there isn't, I am sorry." He added, "I had no way to explain or make excuses. I just want you to know that it really wasn't true," and appealed, "I have no intention to hide or run away. I am truly sorry."

In response, a fan commented, "You said you went to the hotel and motel because you wanted to be alone, but what about asking to prepare two of ○○ and ○○? Don't you know how to make a reservation alone? Don't you have a reservation application (app)?" and questioned, "You say you didn't engage in prostitution, but can't you say you never went to such establishments until the end?" Choi Min-hwan replied, "I don't know what ○○ and ○○ refer to, but are you perhaps talking about condoms and toothbrushes?" He continued, "I don't know if I should say this, but I have been tied up for a long time through a vasectomy. So I don't need condoms, and I always carry a toothbrush wherever I go for hygiene reasons, so why is there curiosity about this?" However, some netizens pointed out, "Just knowing that 'Condition' is a slang term for 'condom' used in prostitution makes it hard to trust him."

Group FT Island's Choi Min-hwan. Choi Min-hwan Instagram

Earlier, Yulhee claimed prostitution by Choi Min-hwan through YouTube in October, stating, "About a year before our divorce, a major incident occurred, and from that point, our married life changed 180 degrees." She explained, "He touched my body in front of the family or even put money here (on my chest)," adding, "How would someone that age know about such establishments? Later, I realized that such drunken behavior was a habit." Furthermore, it was revealed that Choi Min-hwan had conversations with a male acquaintance saying things like, "There are no girls here today," "You need to send me the account number 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," which sparked the prostitution controversy. However, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul decided on the 29th of last month not to prosecute, judging that there was insufficient evidence to prove Choi Min-hwan's violation of the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Prostitution and sexual assault charges.