Sex-scandal K-pop singer removed from musical cast

Lee Soo from "Mozart!" poster / Courtesy of Lee Soo's Instagram

By Kim Da-hee

K-pop singer Lee Soo has been ousted from the cast of musical “Mozart!” because of his criminal record for having paid sex with a minor, the show’s producers said Friday.

The vocalist, 35, from Korean rock band M.C. The Max, was convicted of buying sex from a minor in 2009.

He tried to meet his fans through the musical, but faced strong opposition from musical fans, some of whom said they would boycott the show, which begins in June.

“We decided to remove Lee Soo from the cast after a long discussion with his agency,” EMK Musical Company said. “We feel sorry for causing concerns and controversy.”

Meanwhile, the musician expressed online his feelings about being dropped.

“I appreciate all your words of encouragement, consolation and criticism,” he wrote on Instagram. “I realize I am still very flawed to start working on something new. I promise to come back as a better person.”