FNC Announces FTISLAND Choi Jonghoon’s Retirement From K-Pop Industry
On the afternoon of March 14, FNC Entertainment announced that FTISLAND’s Choi Jonghoon will be departing from FTISLAND and retiring from the K-Pop industry.
Choi Jonghoon, who has aroused criticism due to his involvement in recent scandals, has decided to depart from FTISLAND as of today. Choi Jonghoon will faithfully participate with police investigations within this week. He will permanently leave the team and retire from the entertainment industry.
ㅡ FNC Entertainment
FNC Entertainment also apologized for their shortcomings in terms of properly training their artists.
We bow our heads in sincere apology for neglecting proper management and character education of our artists and for worrying many people through unpleasant events. We strongly feel the severity and responsibility towards the matter and will do our best to cooperate so that the facts will clearly be uncovered during police investigations.
ㅡ FNC Entertainment
Choi Jonghoon was previously accused of being a member of Seungri and Jung Joon Young’s group chatroom. He was also caught drunk driving and suspected of asking the police to cover it up.
FTISLAND’s Choi Jonghoon Was Caught Drunk Driving 3 Years Ago, Asked Police To Cover It Up
FNC Entertainment released a statement admitting his DUI case but denied accusations that there was police collusion. Nonetheless, fans demanded that he be removed from FTISLAND.
FTISLAND Fans Demand Choi Jonghoon’s Removal Following Recent Scandals
Read FNC’s full statement below:
“Choi Jonghoon, who has aroused criticism due to his involvement in recent scandals, has decided to depart from FTISLAND as of today.
Our agency clearly reveals that we have no intention of hiding or covering up any facts about this issue. Earlier, we released a statement after thoroughly confirming with Choi Jonghoon based on our mutual trust in regard to what he remembers of the incident from long ago. We deliver our sincere apologies for arousing confusion with an inaccurate statement during this process.
While he says that he does not remember, he will be dutifully participating in police investigations within this week as there are additional suspicions related to illegal acts. He will permanently leave the team and retire from the entertainment industry.
We strongly feel the severity and responsibility towards the matter and will do our best to cooperate so that the facts will clearly be uncovered during police investigations.
Choi Jonghoon apologizes to those who have been affected by his inappropriate and shameful words and actions of the past and is deeply reflecting upon the fact that he has disappointed many fans and his team members. We bow are heads in sincere apology for neglecting proper management and character education of our artists and for worrying many people through unpleasant events.
Choi Jonghoon will stop his life as a celebrity and live with a self-reflective attitude. We also cannot avoid our responsibility towards the Choi Jonghoon’s words and actions that cannot be socially forgiven and will continue to provide guidance so that he can live with proper awareness as a member of society.
We give our promise to faithfully and properly manage and train all of our artists. We apologize.”
