Musical actor Kim Jun Young has ended his professional career after admitting he visited an adult entertainment establishment. The actor confirmed his actions in a handwritten letter and announced he has terminated his agency contract and withdrawn from all scheduled performances, bringing a sudden end to his rising career in theater.
How a Social Media Post Revealed the Visit
The controversy began when Kim Jun Young posted a photo of a restaurant receipt on his social media account. The receipt contained a woman’s name and payment details that caught the attention of followers. Though he quickly deleted the post, viewers had already taken screenshots and began speculating that the receipt was evidence he had visited an adult entertainment venue.
The receipt showed a woman’s name listed in the purchased products section alongside the price paid. Online speculation grew rapidly, with many concluding the payment was for services at an adult establishment.
Agency’s Changing Statements Deepen Controversy
HJ Culture, Kim Jun Young’s agency, initially defended the actor after the allegations surfaced. The company released a statement denying any illegal activity and threatened legal action against those spreading what they called “malicious falsehoods.”
The agency stated: “We want to make it clear that the actor was not involved in any illegal activity. The allegations circulating online are false. We ask the public to refrain from spreading baseless speculation, unverified information or excessive interpretations.”
However, just 10 hours later, the agency reversed its position completely. HJ Culture announced Kim would withdraw from all current and upcoming productions, a sudden change that drew criticism online. Comments included, “Nice U-turn,” and “Weren’t you the ones who said he did nothing wrong?”
Actor’s Full Admission and Career Termination
On November 7, Kim Jun Young took full responsibility for his actions in a handwritten letter to the public. He did not attempt to justify his behavior and accepted all blame for the disappointment he caused.
“I would like to sincerely apologize for hurting and disappointing many people through recent events. Questions of lawbreaking aside, I admit that my actions were inappropriate. I am fully guilty and responsible, and there are no excuses to be made,” Kim wrote in his letter.
He confirmed the end of his professional career, stating: “I have terminated my exclusive contract with my agency and have dropped out of all scheduled projects. Yet, I know that I cannot simply erase the pain and the disappointment that I caused. I will live the rest of my life with this burden in mind as I reflect on my mistakes.”
Productions Affected by His Sudden Departure
Kim Jun Young’s immediate withdrawal has significantly impacted several ongoing and upcoming theatrical productions. He was actively performing in the musical Rachmaninoff and the play Amadeus at the time of the controversy. Library Company, the production team behind “Amadeus,” officially confirmed his departure was due to “personal reasons.”
Additionally, the actor had been cast in two future musicals—Eternity and Meet John Doe—both of which he has now left. Production companies face the challenge of finding last-minute replacements, and some online comments have expressed concern about potential cancellation penalties that may result from his abrupt exit.
Public Reaction to the Scandal
The public response to the scandal has been largely critical of both Kim Jun Young and his agency’s handling of the situation. Many have questioned why the actor chose to leave all his projects if the initial denial of illegal activity was accurate.
Online comments reflect frustration with the changing narratives: “You should reimburse the production for cancellation penalties,” wrote one social media user. Others expressed disappointment in an actor they had previously supported.
Kim Jun Young began his professional career in the 2018 musical “Singin’ in the Rain” and had steadily built his reputation in the theater industry until this incident. His departure represents a significant fall from grace in the Korean musical theater world.
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