Ju Haknyeon is officially out of The Boyz, and One Hundred Label is doing damage control. On June 18, Chairwoman Cha Ga Won issued a formal apology for the agency’s failure to supervise Haknyeon after he was spotted with Japanese adult film star Asuka Kirara in a Tokyo bar. While the initial excuse for his hiatus was “personal reasons,” it was clear a scandal was brewing behind the scenes.
The messy situation happened quickly: First, a temporary break. Then, on June 18, within two days, a total contract termination was announced. This happened after photos of Haknyeon getting cozy with Asuka Kirara went viral. Finally, One Hundred revealed that Haknyeon would depart the group upon mutual agreement. Regarding the scandal, Cha Ga Won acknowledged they “failed to properly manage our artists’ private lives and conduct,” adding that they’re reflecting deeply and preparing to make internal changes.
As part of their response, the agency will roll out new training programs to educate artists on responsibility and the fallout from public scandals. Meanwhile, The B (that’s The Boyz’s fandom) are heartbroken. Many are also angry over how fast Haknyeon was removed, while others believe the label is finally taking accountability seriously. Either way, this incident is now a major turning point for One Hundred Label and the group’s future image.