[BREAKING + CONFIRMED] HIGHLIGHT’s Yong Junhyung also involved in Group Chat Scandal + Leaving HIGHLIGHT
CW: Sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexism, invasion of privacy
More news on the Hidden Camera Group Chat scandal related to the “Burning Sun” case.
Following his initial denial of involvement in BIG BANG’s Seungri, Jung Joon Young, and FT ISLAND’s Choi Jung Hoon’s group chat which shared secretly filmed sex tapes, Yong Junhyung has admitted that he had watched those videos through a 1 on 1 chat with Jung Joon Young during his questioning by the police. He has also admitted to making inappropriate comments about the videos in the chat. His label has now announced his departure from HIGHLIGHT.
You can read the official statement below by Around US Entertainment as well as Junhyung’s Instragram post:
Around US Entertainment:
"We learned of the facts stated (above) through Yong Junhyung's witness questioning. After realising the severity of this situation, Junhyung took part in his questioning diligently, and he is now in a deep state of reflection for his past inappropriate actions, as well as for the disappointment that he undoubtedly caused many due to his immoral actions.
He is also aware that this incident is not one that can be forgiven, and he feels greatly apologetic toward fans of HIGHLIGHT for breaking their trust and repaying their love with disappointment. In order to take responsibility for his actions and prevent further damage to the group's image, Junhyung will leave HIGHLIGHT as of March 14, 2019.
Even when Junhyung became involved in an unfavourable scandal, we were unable to obtain the clear facts right away and released a hasty statement, causing confusion; for this, we apologise. We will take caution so that such incidents do not occur again. We apologize one more time to fans who cherish HIGHLIGHT.”
Junhyung’s Instagram Post:
Hello, this is Yong Junhyung.
First of all, I sincerely apologize to my members and all the fans who have had a hard time with me these last few days. When I received a phone call to confirm the authenticity immediately after the reports of SBS 8'OClock News last March 11th, I didn't really understand the point at first and only conveyed that I wasn't in the chat room. My company took my side and said, "The press was not right and they misinterpreted it.”
When I was talking to my company to make an official position, I told them that it was 2016 because I didn't have any conversations with Mr. Jung on KakaoTalk, so I couldn't confirm the date properly. I also apologize for adding to the confusion of many.
At the end of 2015, the conversation between me and Jung Joon Young, who had been reported on the news about the KKT scandal, was that we had a drink and went home together. The next day I asked him how he was, and he said, "I've got a video [sex tape] that I've been sending to someone else" And I said, "You got caught by that girl?" I didn't receive the video at that time, but I eventually did. We also had inappropriate conversations about it. All these acts were so immoral, and I was stupid.
It's my fault that I didn't think it was a crime, and I just thought about it as a complacent and that I didn't resolutely restrain it.
I talked freely about everything I know and cooperated with the investigation. When I was questioned by the official, I saw exactly what I had talked about in the past, and I am very ashamed.
I have never done anything illegal, such as taking pictures or spreading them. In addition, since the end of 2016, I have maintained a relationship with Jung Joon Young in such a way that we often ask each other's regards.
I have been aware of these, but I thought that it was too easy and I was acquiescent about this serious problem that my actions could cause many other victims.
I'm sorry that I failed to repay you for the love you gave me, and I lost the trust of my members and fans who believed in me.
Realizing the seriousness of this issue, I don't want to hurt more fans and my members who may have been disappointed by me, so I'll leave the group HIGHLIGHT on March 14, 2019. I will live by reflectingont this. Once again, I sincerely apologize.
Junhyung will also be enlisting in the military in April.
K-Pop Timeout would continue to update you all on this controversy.
