FT Island's Choi Min-hwan sits out band activities following prostitution allegations

Rock band FT Island's drummer, Choi Min-hwan, will sit out the band's activities following accusations regarding his visit to prostitution facilities, leaving only members Lee Hong-ki and Lee Jae-jin to carry on with band activities.

FT Island members Choi Min-hwan, left, and Lee Hong-ki [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Rock band FT Island's drummer, Choi Min-hwan, will sit out the band's activities following accusations regarding his visit to prostitution facilities, leaving only members Lee Hong-ki and Lee Jae-jin to carry on with band activities.

"After in-depth discussions, FT Island has decided to temporarily proceed as a two-member group,” FNC Entertainment stated on the fan community platform Weverse.

Beginning with the scheduled activities on Nov. 2, a session musician will participate in performances to fill in for Choi. The band had already continued its "Pulse" tour on Oct. 26 without him.

"Lee Hong-ki and Lee Jae-jin have prepared diligently and are set to perform without any disruptions. We sincerely apologize to fans and audience members for any confusion caused,” the agency said in a statement.

FT Island members Lee Jae-jin, left, and Lee Hong-ki [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Choi and Yulhee, a former member of girl group Laboum, married in 2018 and divorced in December last year. After five years of marriage, they separated, with Choi gaining custody of their three children. The couple came under public scrutiny after Yulhee detailed incidents involving Choi’s alleged abuse and interest in prostitutes in a 37-minute video uploaded to her YouTube channel on Oct. 24.

The police received requests from fans and other netizens to investigate Choi on charges of violating the Act on the Punishment of Prostitution, initiating a pre-investigation inquiry. Amid the growing controversy, FNC Entertainment announced Choi’s suspension of activities on Oct. 24.

BY YOON SEUNG-JIN [yoon.seungjin@joongang.co.kr]