Amidst allegations surrounding Choi Minhwan, FTISLAND’s Lee Hongki has again taken to social media to express his stance on the controversy, even as netizens voice mixed reactions.

Recent developments in K-pop have brought intense scrutiny on FTISLAND member Choi Minhwan following allegations made by his ex-wife, Yulhee, regarding his alleged involvement in prostitution. Yulhee, a former member of LABOUM, presented evidence, including recorded conversations, suggesting Minhwan had visited adult establishments, sparking widespread discussion and backlash online.

FNC Entertainment’s Response

In response to the allegations, FNC Entertainment, the agency representing FTISLAND, released a statement acknowledging the situation. The statement conveyed Minhwan’s sense of “responsibility” over the matter and announced that he would temporarily halt his activities. The agency did not provide additional details about the investigation or the allegations but affirmed Minhwan’s commitment to address the issue privately.

Lee Hongki’s Defense and Online Reaction

While Minhwan has stayed silent, Lee Hongki has stepped forward on Weverse to defend his bandmate. In a now-deleted post, Hongki urged fans to “not believe everything so easily.” He wrote:

“It’s their private lives, but it ended up like this. What was wrong must be addressed, apologies given, and responsibilities taken. But still, we should not believe everything so easily.”

The post, referring to Minhwan’s prostitution as “private life,” inevitably faced intense backlash. Netizens discussed Hongki’s post and were critical over the ambiguity of the message.

While the post had been deleted, Hongki continues to voice support for Minhwan in his Weverse activities. In a Weverse comment to a fan calling out his previous post, Hongki got hostile and defensive.

The point is not in fact checking what Yulhee has exposed. The point is whether or not a father of three children has been going to brothels for prostitution. And there is enough evidence to conclude that he did. In fact, Choi Minhwan is now under investigation for prostitution, so…  I’m not sure what more I need to know. Just keep in mind that no one wants to support someone who is a frequent flyer at a prostitution brothel. Good work on today’s performance. I hope you get good rest, and that you think about what you said one more time.

— Fan

What if he did not pay for sex? What if the business was not a brothel?? Will you be able to take responsibility for the things you just said??

— Lee Hongki

The comment made it seem that Hongki believes Minhwan has not sought prostitution at brothels, despite the “evidence” presented in Yulhee’s YouTube video. When a screenshot of the Weverse interaction made its rounds online, K-Pop fans expressed further disappointment at Hongki. A theqoo post has since garnered over 1.8K comments calling out Hongki for “picking fights” with the fans over the matter.

Netizens Voice Their Discontent Again

Screenshots of Hongki’s interactions with fans quickly circulated online, leading to further discussions and criticism. Many K-pop fans expressed their disappointment, noting that they were uncomfortable with the way Hongki approached the situation, especially as new allegations surfaced. Comments on social platforms like theqoo reflected these concerns:

• “Having escort girls at the bar table is prostitution, is it not? He paid for their time. Having sex isn’t the only thing that constitutes prostitution.”
• “Oh, I see. So he thinks it’s OK for a married man with children to go to an adult establishment where escort girls provide service?”
• “What is he saying…”
• “?????”
• “Even if he didn’t have sex with any of the prostitutes, he should be shamed for going to adult establishments and drinking with escorts when he’s a married man with kids.”

• “Oh, wow… This is the worst.”
• “What’s wrong with him? Geez.”
• “He’s just asking for trouble… Getting his own group canceled for good.”
• “Oh… I did not expect Lee Hongki to react this way. I’m quite surprised and… even more disappointed.”
• “But Minhwan literally asked his pimp friend to book him a hotel/motel room. LOL.”

These reactions highlight the divide between fans who are urging accountability and those who support Hongki’s caution regarding the allegations.

What’s Next for Minhwan and FTISLAND?

As of now, neither Minhwan nor Hongki has made additional statements regarding the allegations, and FNC Entertainment has not released any further updates. Minhwan’s temporary halt in activities, along with ongoing discussions on social media, suggest that this situation remains far from resolved.

To know the latest developments about FTISLAND and this ongoing issue, keep an eye on VvipTimes, and allow notifications from us to get instant updates on your device.

Source: theqoo