Choi Jong Hoon withdraws from FT Island & retires, apologizes in personal statement

Choi Jong Hoon, who has recently come under fire due to participating in the ongoing Jung Joon Young/Seungri group chats as well as a having a past DUI revealed that was allegedly covered up thanks to police favors, has announced that he will be withdrawing from FT Island and retiring from the industry.

It was decided today that Choi Jong Hoon, who has evoked criticism with involvement in a recent series of incidents, will be leaving FTISLAND. Our agency would like to make it clear that there was no intention to hide or cover up the truth regarding these matters. Previously, based on our relationship of mutual trust, we checked with him on what he remembers regarding the past incidents before releasing statements. We express deep apologies for causing confusion by releasing inaccurate statements through this process. There are additional suspicions regarding illegal acts although he says he does not remember them, so he will diligently receive a police investigation sometime this week. Choi Jong Hoon has decided to leave the team forever and will retire from the entertainment industry. The agency realizes the severity and feels responsibility for these matters, and we will fully cooperate with the police investigation process so that the truth can be clearly identified. Choi Jong Hoon expresses his apologies to those who received harm due to his inappropriate and embarrassing words and actions in the past. He is also deeply reflecting on the disappointment he has given to many fans and the members of his team. The agency expresses our deep apologies for being inattentive in managing and teaching proper character to our artists and for causing trouble to many people due to an unfortunate matter. Choi Jong Hoon will now halt celebrity life and live while reflecting on himself. The agency also cannot avoid responsibility regarding Choi Jong Hoon’s words and actions that cannot be forgiven by society, so we will guide him until the end towards living as a member of society with an upright perception. [The agency] once again promises to be more thorough and strict in our management and education of all artists. We apologize.

Is that really FNC Entertainment‘s excuse? Yeah for a fucking relationship rumor you can just ask him, but for something like this? You just take his word for it? Come on.

He also released a personal statement in which he apologizes.

Hello, this is Choi Jong Hoon. I am writing this message to apologize to the Korean people who may have felt upset and outraged with me. After reading the conversations in the chatroom I was involved in through the news reports, I was so distressed and ashamed to come across the forgotten past messages again. The fact that I made these careless remarks and couldn’t remember them all this time made me reflect on what a false sense of ethics I’d been living with. In addition, as I read over comments of criticism and anger, I realize that I had fallen into a sense of entitlement, and I am deeply regretting it. I will repent greatly of my sins from my immoral life, and I will live while reflecting on this for the rest of my life. First I must bow my head in apology to the victims who were hurt with lasting wounds. And I apologize to the numerous victims who have been harmed after being dragged into this incident despite having nothing to do with it. I’m also ashamed of myself as I was in the position of being leader to the members of FTISLAND, but I acted disgracefully. And to the fans (PRIMADONNA) who have supported my activities until now, I’m also sorry that I failed to live up to the expectations you believed in, and that I have betrayed your trust in me. As of today, I will leave the team and retire from the entertainment industry. I will spend my entire life thoroughly reflecting on my past days when I acted carelessly without any feelings of remorse. I will also diligently participate in future investigations without any falsehoods, and I will accept the punishment I deserve. I am sorry.

Guess Lee Hongki wasn’t fucking around when he told that fan it was over already.

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