Latest news with #ONEHUNDREDLabel
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
THE BOYZ confirms July comeback after Ju Haknyeon's exit, fans hit back at agency's ‘infuriating ignorance'
THE BOYZ appears to be entering a new phase of their career. Reports suggested that the group is finalizing preparations for a July comeback, this time promoting as a nine-member team. This marks their first comeback since the removal of member Ju Haknyeon. He was at the center of recent controversy that resulted in his exclusion from group activities. While fans had anticipated delays in the wake of the dispute, it now seems that the group's planned release will proceed without major changes. According to industry insiders, preparations for their new album are in the final stages, with a music comeback likely in mid-July. The group's agency, ONE HUNDRED Label, soon confirmed reports of a July return. This official statement closely follows the announcement of THE BOYZ 's upcoming world tour. Divided fan reactions Reactions from fans have been mixed. Some have expressed support for the group's decision to move forward. They note that with nine members remaining, THE BOYZ still has the potential to deliver powerful performances and maintain group synergy. They view the timely comeback as a chance to refocus attention on the members who continue to work hard. On the other hand, a vocal portion of the fandom has criticized the agency's approach. Many fans feel that Ju Haknyeon 's departure was abrupt and not properly addressed, especially given his denial of agreeing to leave. Concerns have also been raised about the lack of transparency from ONE HUNDRED Label. Many are questioning whether the group is being pushed too quickly into promotions before the situation has settled. Some longtime supporters have even stated that their interest in the group has declined due to Ju Haknyeon's absence. For them, the upcoming comeback feels incomplete, and the shift in lineup difficult to accept. What caused Ju Haknyeon's exit? Ju Haknyeon's departure has left a significant mark on both the group's internal dynamics and public image. In late May, the agency released a brief statement announcing his removal. It cites 'personal issues' without offering detailed context. However, media reports soon uncovered that he had privately met with Japanese AV actress Kirara Asuka during an overseas visit. The meeting quickly gained attention online and sparked speculation over possible misconduct. Although Ju Haknyeon denied any 'illegal activity,' the backlash was swift. The issue became more complicated when Ju Haknyeon publicly refuted the agency's decision. He stated he had not agreed to terminate his exclusive contract nor leave the group voluntarily. His rebuttal fueled online debate, further dividing the fanbase. Lineup change Compounding the uncertainty was the earlier enlistment of Sangyeon, the group's leader and oldest member, who began his mandatory military service in March. With his temporary absence and Ju Haknyeon's controversial exit, THE BOYZ now enters their comeback season with a 9-member lineup. THE BLAZE World Tour Regardless of internal disputes, THE BOYZ is gearing up for THE BLAZE world tour, starting just weeks after their comeback. According to the agency's previously released schedule, the group will kick things off in Seoul on August 8. From there, they will head to major stops across Asia, including Yokohama, Tokyo, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, and Bangkok. This will be the group's first tour without Ju Haknyeon and Sangyeon. This makes it a crucial test of how the new nine-member lineup performs live and interacts with fans.
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
THE BOYZ moves ahead with THE BLAZE World Tour as 9-piece after pushing out Ju Haknyeon over AV star controversy
On June 26, ONE HUNDRED Label confirmed that THE BOYZ are preparing to hit the road once again for a brand-new world tour. And it's set to begin in the second week of August 2025. THE BOYZ officially unveiled their upcoming 2025 world tour titled THE BLAZE. The group ignited excitement among fans with the announcement of a confirmed list of tour dates and cities. This marks the group's first world tour in over a year since their highly successful Zeneration II concerts. The tour will begin with a three-night run at the KSPO Dome in Seoul from August 8 to August 10. After wrapping up their opening shows in South Korea, THE BOYZ will take the stage across several key cities in Asia. So far, the confirmed stops include Nagoya, Yokohama, Kobe, Tokyo, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, and Bangkok. More cities are expected to be added in the coming days. Touring with 9 members for the first time This upcoming tour will see THE BOYZ performing as a 9-member group for the first time. Leader Sangyeon is currently away serving his mandatory military duty. Meanwhile, Ju Haknyeon, previously a core member, was officially removed from the group earlier this month. The change follows a turbulent period for the group, but remaining members are expected to continue activities with renewed focus and energy. Despite the challenges, fan anticipation remains high. Many are hoping to see the group showcase a more mature sound and powerful stage presence. A record-breaking album era behind them Earlier this year, THE BOYZ made headlines with their third full-length album, Unexpected. It shattered their personal records by selling over 740,000 copies in its first week. The album's success reaffirmed the group's popularity and staying power in the K-pop industry, particularly as they approach their eighth anniversary of debut. With a substantial discography and loyal fan base behind them, the world tour is expected to build on this momentum. It may also introduce new tracks and revamped performances to match the group's evolving image. Ju Haknyeon's departure adds complicated backdrop While excitement for the tour builds, it also follows a major shift in the group's composition. On June 18, ONE HUNDRED officially announced Ju Haknyeon's departure from THE BOYZ. The announcement followed public backlash after reports of his private meeting with former Japanese adult film actress Asuka Kirara. Although Ju apologized for the incident, he firmly denied any involvement in 'illegal activity.' He also revealed plans to pursue legal action against both his former agency and the media outlet that reported on the alleged misconduct. His exit marked a decisive break from the group's earlier 11-member identity.
Pink Villa
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
THE BOYZ's agency chairwoman admits 'failing to properly manage' Ju Haknyeon amid AV star scandal: 'We humbly accept…'
Following the controversy involving Ju Haknyeon, the leadership of ONE HUNDRED Label has broken its silence. On June 18, Chairwoman Cha Ga Won delivered a formal apology on behalf of the agency. She acknowledged the gravity of the situation and accepted responsibility for what she described as serious shortcomings in artist supervision. Ju Haknyeon, once a member of the K-pop boy group THE BOYZ, found himself at the center of a scandal. He was spotted with AV actress Asuka Kirara at a Tokyo bar in late May. In response, ONE HUNDRED Label announced his immediate departure from the group. They terminated his exclusive contract, citing 'personal issues' at first. But fans and the media were already piecing together the full story. Cha Ga Won's statement In a statement, Chairwoman Cha 'deeply apologises' to fans, supporters, and the wider public for the controversy surrounding one of their artists. She didn't attempt to shift blame but instead took full responsibility for the fallout. The agency acknowledges that it failed in its duty to adequately oversee and manage the private actions and professional conduct of its artists. 'We humbly accept that we failed to properly manage our artists' private lives and conduct,' Cha said. She added, 'Through this incident, we have come to fully recognize the weight of our responsibility and are reflecting deeply.' She acknowledged that the situation has served as a wake-up call. Cha emphasized that this moment will be used as an opportunity to initiate systemic change within the agency. She explained that ONE HUNDRED Label would take immediate steps to revise its internal management structure. Plans include introducing structured educational programs to raise awareness among trainees and artists about personal responsibility and public expectations. These programs will also address the consequences of private actions becoming public scandals. The timeline: From suspension to termination The scandal first surfaced through a report by Shūkan Bunshun, a Japanese media outlet. The article included photographs showing Ju Haknyeon at a private bar in Tokyo with Asuka Kirara. She's a former adult actress. She was allegedly seen hugging and leaning her head on his shoulder in images. The photos, which showed them in close proximity, fueled controversy online. Fans and netizens criticized the idol's behavior, calling it inappropriate and damaging to the group's image. Initially, the agency responded vaguely. They stated that Ju Haknyeon would be temporarily halting activities for personal reasons. But just two days later, the situation escalated. The agency issued an official statement confirming his full departure from THE BOYZ and the immediate cancellation of his contract.
