Content Warning
According to an exclusive SBS report, H.O.T.’s Jang Woo Hyuk is the first-generation idol who is alleged to have assaulted a former trainee and abused two of his former employees.
Earlier in June, we reported that a former trainee alleged he was assaulted by his CEO, who is a first-generation idol.
The assault occurred when the idol asked his trainee’s opinion on the music they were planning to debut with.
On February 18, 2016, the idol/CEO called me into his office with the label’s producer. At the time, the idol explained the musical direction of the group. He explained we would be making music that was popular during the 70s-90s, saying that this type of music would make us popular. The idol then asked the producer and me what we thought. The producer said because it sounded ‘old,’ a younger demographic might not like it, to which I agreed.
— Trainee
The trainee then alleged that the idol physically and verbally abused him.
The idol then started cursing at me and then slapped me four times on my left cheek and twice on my right. He then told me to take off my hat and then punched me on my head twice. Because I was afraid of violating my contract, I returned to practice the next day.
The CEO called me into his office again. I thought it would be to apologize. The CEO, however, justified the assault and lectured me about why I needed to get hit, which shocked me even more. Ever since then, I would have tears whenever I saw him or thought of that day. Due to the shock, I decided to quit my dreams and wasn’t able to do anything for the past six years out of fear.
— Trainee
Due to the trauma from the abuse, the trainee eventually gave up on his dream of being an idol.
After the trainee’s allegations, more victims came forward with accusations. Two former employees stated they had witnessed the abuse and alleged they were also abused.
Employee A stated that in 2014 because they didn’t have a manager, she had had to go to a hot film set to help out. She stated that because there was no food or water, she had to starve while carrying out the duties of both a manager and stylist.
Employee B stated that in 2014 during a business trip to China, she was hit in the head with a gloved hand, and at a restaurant, she was subjected to verbal abuse.
According to an exclusive SBS report, the first-generation idol is H.O.T’s Jang Woo Hyuk.
The report states that the legendary idol sued two of his former employees for accusing him of abusing them. Jang Woo Hyuk sued both former employees for libel and obstruction of business.
According to the report, Jang Woo Hyuk has reached out to the former trainee. The trainee wrote a post on an online community in which he stated that he met up with his former CEO.
On June 8, I met up with him after being contacted. The incident happened so long ago, so there were many misunderstandings. We both said what we held in our chests, and both apologized for our wrongdoings. We finished the meeting with good feelings.
— Trainee
As for allegations that he abused his former employees, the singer wrote on his fan page denying any abuse took place.
I thought if I just stayed silent, it would all go away, but it didn’t. I will exhaust every legal option to remain a singer and artist my fans can be proud of.
— Jang Woo Hyuk
Jang Woo Hyuk is a member of the first-generation idol group H.O.T. Debuting in 1996, the singer became renowned for his dancing skills. After the group’s disbandment in 2001, he and fellow H.O.T. members Tony Ahn and Lee Jae Won created jtL which they achieved modest success. Currently, the idol is the CEO of WH Entertainment.
