F.T. Island made a notable appearance at the Grand Mint Festival 2024 on November 2, performing at Olympic Park in Songpa, Seoul. This performance marked the first official event for the band as a duo following Minhwan’s hiatus due to a recent controversy involving his personal life. Toward the end of their performance, Hongki, F.T. Island’s vocalist, made statements that have sparked a wave of backlash from Korean netizens, suggesting he felt he was “wrongfully targeted” amid Minhwan’s scandal.

The controversy around Minhwan began in October when his ex-wife, Yulhee, shared shocking claims on her YouTube channel.

Minhwan’s Scandal: Allegations of Inappropriate Behavior

The scandal surfaced on October 24, 2024, when Yulhee, Minhwan’s ex-wife, released a video detailing incidents that took place during their marriage. She revealed disturbing accounts of Minhwan’s behavior, recounting:

“In front of family, Minhwan would touch me or stick money in my chest. While playing Go-Stop with the family, he once folded money in half and tucked it into the chest area of my pajamas when no one was looking. How could I know about such behavior if I hadn’t seen it? Later, I realized it was a habit when he was drunk. In front of his parents, he would grab my chest and private areas, and all the pieces fell into place.”

Toward the end of her video, Yulhee shared audio recordings from July to November 2022 where Minhwan is heard talking about visits to entertainment venues and making comments suggestive of engaging in prostitution-related activities. These revelations quickly drew widespread public criticism and have since led to Minhwan’s indefinite hiatus from all public appearances and media engagements.

Hongki’s Comments on Minhwan’s Controversy Ignite Netizen Backlash

During the Grand Mint Festival performance, Hongki hinted at his struggles amid Minhwan’s scandal, saying:

“Honestly, I’ve been feeling really down. It felt like the world was unfairly targeting me, but thank you. I’ll keep making music until the day I die. Thank you.”

This statement was seen by some as a defense of Minhwan, and it prompted further reactions when Hongki later responded to online comments. Addressing criticism from a fan, Hongki asked:

“What if it’s not prostitution or a prostitution establishment? Will you take responsibility for what you’re saying right now?”

These remarks led to widespread discontent among Korean netizens, who criticized Hongki for appearing to support Minhwan despite the serious nature of the allegations.

Korean Netizens Respond: Calls for Accountability and Criticism of Hongki

The backlash on Korean online platforms was swift, with netizens expressing disappointment and questioning Hongki’s stance. Key comments include:

“Didn’t Hongki listen to the recordings? Minhwan is heard asking if there were any ‘hostesses’ available. If it wasn’t a venue like that, then what was he doing looking for a ‘hostess’ in the middle of the night?”

“It feels like Minhwan has acknowledged his mistake and stepped out of the group, but Hongki keeps talking in a way that seems like he’s defending him, making things worse. The one I feel the most sorry for in all this is Lee Jaejin.”

“Whether or not he solicited prostitution, that’s secondary. What kind of married man with three kids uses that kind of adult establishment lingo? Who’s going to see that in a good light?”

“They’re both going down unless they have some kind of ace up their sleeve or shocking evidence to prove otherwise. If there’s no solid evidence to flip the narrative, staying quiet is the best way to help.”

Another user criticized Hongki’s remarks about being unfairly targeted, saying:

“‘Unfair targeting’ is used when someone is getting criticized unjustly, but that’s not the case here, Hongki.”

Several users advised Hongki to distance himself from the controversy, with comments urging him to avoid getting involved in marital disputes and to focus on his music.

Minhwan’s Official Response and Future of F.T. Island

In response to the controversy, Minhwan’s representatives issued a statement:

“While it’s difficult for us to fully understand all details surrounding this personal marital issue, Minhwan feels a deep sense of responsibility for disappointing the public and his viewers. He will halt all media activities, including the shows he appears on with his children.”

With Minhwan on hiatus and Hongki facing criticism, F.T. Island’s future activities remain uncertain. Lee Jaejin, the only other active member, has received sympathy from fans who feel he has been affected by the controversy without direct involvement. Whether Hongki will address the situation further or maintain a low profile is yet to be seen.

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