F.T. ISLAND’s Minhwan Steps Back: FNC Responds to Ex-Wife’s Prostitution Allegations

On October 25, 2024, FNC Entertainment made an announcement regarding Choi Minhwan of F.T. ISLAND, stating that he will temporarily step back from media engagements due to serious allegations made by his former wife, Yulhee, who is known for her time with LABOUM. Minhwan expressed his sorrow for letting down his fans, while FNC issued an apology for the discomfort this situation has caused to the public.

According to Koreaboo, the entertainment label’s statement included the following remark:

“While we find it challenging to understand the personal circumstances surrounding the couple, Choi Minhwan recognizes his responsibility in disappointing numerous fans and viewers, leading him to decide to suspend all media activities, including those involving his children.”

This decision means Minhwan will no longer be part of KBS’s family program The Return of Superman, where he has been featured with his children since April. KBS has confirmed that his segments will no longer be broadcast, and no new episodes featuring him have been produced.

What we know about the allegations against F.T. ISLAND’s Minhwan by Yulhee

Recently, Yulhee published audio recordings that she claims illustrate Minhwan’s frequent visits to adult entertainment establishments, which she asserts played a significant role in their divorce. The recordings, dated between July and August 2022, reportedly capture Minhwan organizing visits to various venues and discussing payment arrangements for these services, often trying to hide this behavior from her.

On her YouTube channel, @yulheeh, she accused her ex-husband of not just visiting such places during their marriage, but also of behaving inappropriately in front of family members, leaving her feeling embarrassed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXCTNP4cZ7Y

Yulhee also shared the emotional impact these experiences had on her life, indicating that the distress from these revelations contributed to her decision to seek divorce. As translated by Koreaboo, she expressed:

“I hoped to take the children with me. At that time, they offered KRW 50.0 million (approximately USD 36,200) for me to secure housing post-divorce, and KRW 2.00 million (around USD 1,450) monthly for child support. But realistically, it felt like I would just be surviving.”

She went on to say,

“While it’s possible to rent a home with that amount, the rent would quickly consume it. The only way for me to acquire the necessary assets while ensuring the children’s future was through legal action, but I was exhausted.”

The agency has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and requested understanding as Minhwan takes time to contemplate his actions.

FNC has yet to provide further details about Minhwan’s upcoming concert commitments, leaving uncertainty surrounding the scheduled F.T. ISLAND performance on October 26 in Taiwan.

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