The Boyz’s Ju Haknyeon leaves group after private meeting with former Japanese AV actress

Ju Haknyeon / Xportsnews

Ju Haknyeon of K-pop boy group The Boyz has withdrawn from the team and terminated his exclusive contract following a controversy over a private meeting with a former Japanese adult video (AV) actress.

On Wednesday, the group’s agency, Onehundred, announced, “As soon as we were informed of a recent issue involving Ju Haknyeon’s private life, we took immediate steps to suspend his activities and spent time verifying the facts thoroughly.”

“After careful review, we recognized the seriousness of the situation and concluded that it would be difficult to maintain trust in him as an artist,” the agency said. “Following sufficient discussion with the members of The Boyz, we have decided to confirm Ju Haknyeon’s withdrawal from the group and the termination of his contract.”

The agency added, “This decision was unavoidable in order to protect The Boyz members and the team. We ask for your understanding. Ju Haknyeon will cease all activities as a member of The Boyz as of today.”

According to a report by News1, Ju Haknyeon privately met with former AV actress Asuka Kirara at a bar in Tokyo at the end of May. Citing Japanese media outlet Shukan Bunshun, the report said that Ju visited a bar in Roppongi on the night of May 29 with acquaintances, including some he already knew in Japan. The gathering reportedly lasted into the early hours, during which Ju was seen engaging in physical contact such as hugging Asuka Kirara.

Asuka Kirara made her debut as an AV actress in 2007 and retired in 2020. She currently works as an influencer in Japan.

News of the meeting quickly spread, leading Ju Haknyeon to suspend his group activities without prior notice. On June 16, Onehundred initially announced that Ju would be taking a break from activities due to personal reasons, saying, “We apologize for causing concern with this sudden news and ask for your understanding.”

This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.