Ju Hak-nyeon has officially left K-pop boy group The Boyz following a growing controversy tied to his private life. His agency, One Hundred Label, confirmed both his withdrawal from the group and the termination of his exclusive contract, citing the “seriousness of the issue” and the difficulty in maintaining public trust.
The decision comes after explosive reports surfaced alleging that Ju Hak-nyeon had an intimate encounter with former Japanese AV actress and influencer Asuka Kirara during a private gathering in Tokyo. Japanese media first reported that the two were seen embracing at a late-night drinking party in Roppongi late last month. The event reportedly extended into the early morning hours, and Ju’s interaction with Kirara, who is 11 years his senior, quickly spread across social platforms and fan communities, sparking widespread backlash.
Initially, One Hundred Label had announced a sudden suspension of Ju’s activities on June 16, attributing it to “personal reasons” without further explanation. As speculation intensified, the agency launched an internal review of the incident. On June 18, following what they described as "thorough fact-checking" and “serious reflection,” the label confirmed Ju Hak-nyeon’s complete departure from both the group and the agency.
주학년 더보이즈 탈퇴 및 전속계약 해지 안내 pic.twitter.com/KSOrTN6268
— 더보이즈 (THE BOYZ) (@THEBOYZ_officl) June 18, 2025
“We sincerely apologize for the concern and disappointment this situation has caused to fans and the public,” said Cha Ga-won, chairman of One Hundred's parent company. “We humbly accept responsibility for failing to properly manage our artists’ private conduct and will take this as a moment of deep reflection.”
Cha added that the company would implement stricter internal controls and ethics education going forward to prevent similar situations.
The label also emphasized that the decision was made in close discussion with the other members of The Boyz and was intended to protect the team and its integrity. “Please understand this was an unavoidable measure,” the company stated.
Ju Hak-nyeon, born in 1999, first rose to fame in 2017 through the reality survival show Produce 101 Season 2, where he placed 19th. He debuted with The Boyz later that year and has since gained recognition not only as an idol but also as an actor, with roles in dramas, musicals, and the 2022 horror film Urban Myths (Seoul Ghost Story).
His exit comes during a turbulent period for The Boyz, who are currently under public scrutiny due to a string of controversies involving other members — including staff mistreatment allegations and dating rumors. While the agency has addressed those issues separately, the combined controversies have left fans questioning the group’s current trajectory.
As of now, neither Ju Hak-nyeon nor Asuka Kirara has made a public statement