“Have never engaged in prostitution"— F.T. Island's Minhwan reportedly admits visiting adult entertainment establishments, denying solicitation claims

On December 20, 2024, a South Korean media, Sports Kyeonghyang reported that F.T. Island’s Choi Minhwan denied allegations of soliciting pr*stitution or any involvement in such activities. However, he admitted to visiting adult entertainment establishments.

The K-pop idol allegedly stated during questioning that while he frequently attended such establishments, he had never engaged in pr*stitution and did not recall whether he visited one on the night in question. The controversy arose from an investigation into an incident on July 9, 2022, when Minhwan was accused of contacting a broker to arrange a visit to an adult entertainment venue.

While he acknowledged these visits, Choi maintained that he did not engage in any illegal activities, expressing frustration at the difficulty of proving his innocence. He took to Weverse and wrote,

"I have never engaged in pr*stitution, I went to the hotel and motel that were in the recording because I wanted to be alone at the time. It would be nice if there was clear evidence, but there isn’t, so I’m sorry."

The broker involved, referred to as "A," corroborated the artist's claim, stating that their conversation revolved around making a reservation at an adult entertainment venue, not a pr*stitution service.

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All you need to know about the ongoing case involving F.T. Island's Minhwan and his ex-wife Yulhee

For context, the controversy initially erupted when his ex-wife, former LABOUM member Yulhee, shared recordings via a now-deleted YouTube video. The recordings hinted at Minhwan’s frequent visits to such establishments during their marriage, reportedly a key reason for their divorce. The allegations led to a police investigation, which reviewed conversations between Minhwan and an intermediary.

Yulhee claimed that his frequent visits to such establishments caused emotional distress and significantly impacted their marriage. She further alleged inappropriate conduct, including Minhwan touching her inappropriately in front of her family and exhibiting drunken behavior that she described as habitual.

Despite allegations supported by audio recordings released by Yulhee, the police concluded that there was insufficient evidence to charge him. The officials stated that the recordings did not definitively prove solicitation or illegal activity.

The police also investigated claims of se*ual harassment against Minhwan based on these allegations. However, Yulhee declined to participate in the investigation or provide original evidence, citing emotional concerns for their children. Consequently, the charges were dropped due to a lack of supporting testimony and evidence.

Previously, the idol apologized to his fans and bandmates for the distress caused by the situation, acknowledging his responsibility in creating controversy. He vowed to reflect on his actions and work toward becoming a better person. In his latest Instagram post, he wrote,

"I sincerely apologize for disappointing you with my behavior..From now on, I will do my best to show you a more responsible and mature version. I wanted to say that I am very sorry and thank you to all of you who love me because of this." (translated by Instagram).

The scandal has led to his temporary withdrawal from media appearances and suspension of his activities with F.T. Island.

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Yulhee, for her part, shared her struggles in dealing with the fallout from the allegations and her divorce, stating that the situation had taken an emotional toll on her and influenced her decision to seek custody of their children.

Both the idol and his agency, FNC Entertainment, have emphasized their desire to resolve the matter with minimal impact on their children and the public.