Sung Hoon says Brown Eyed Soul label told him to ‘kneel before Naul’

Singer Sung Hoon, who left the vocal group Brown Eyed Soul in 2023, is now locked in a dispute with the group’s agency over the reasons behind his departure. Captured from his social media

Singer Sung Hoon, who left the R&B group Brown Eyed Soul in 2023, has reignited a dispute with the group’s agency, Long Play Music, over the circumstances of his departure. Both sides have released conflicting accounts in a heated exchange online.

Sung Hoon posted a lengthy statement on his social media on Oct. 7, saying he “finally decided to speak up” about why he left the group. He recalled waiting for a group album in 2022, but said delays continued as member Naul was recovering from throat problems. “I prayed for his recovery and was relieved to see him appear on (MBC show) ‘Hangout with Yoo,’” he said.

Sung Hoon claimed he was blindsided when he later learned through the internet that Naul was planning a solo project. “That’s when 20 years of pent-up frustration and anger began to explode,” he said, adding that the company even blocked him from running his YouTube channel.

“They told me to kneel and beg Naul if I wanted to keep doing YouTube. What still hurts is when they said they didn’t know if my brothers would forgive me,” he said.

He went on to say that he eventually agreed to leave the group but criticized the label for keeping his vocals in their latest album. “It would have been polite to remove my voice from the record,” he said. “What’s clear is that it wasn’t my decision to leave.”

In response, Long Play Music issued a statement saying, “Sung Hoon experienced psychological difficulties and instability during the pandemic and due to other members’ health issues. We were informed that he received professional counseling and treatment. During this time, he repeatedly sent personal attacks and inappropriate messages to other members and their families.”

The agency said that despite supporting his individual activities, the exclusive contract was terminated by mutual agreement as it had become difficult to continue group work.

R&B group Brown Eyed Soul / Courtesy of Long Play Music

Sung Hoon refuted the claim, saying, “They said I made personal attacks on a member and his family — I want them to post exactly what I said.” He also said he plans to take legal action. “I, too, hope for great music and performances ahead, but if they brand me as mentally ill after 20 years of shared struggle, I will fight to protect my honor,” he said.

Brown Eyed Soul released its fifth full-length album, “Soul Tricycle,” on Sept. 23, and is set to hold its first solo concert in six years in December. However, the dispute has left many fans worried about the group’s future.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.