Just days after announcing his departure from popular K-pop group THE BOYZ, singer Ju Haknyeon is making headlines again, this time for taking legal action against a journalist who reported on his alleged involvement in a sex scandal with former Japanese adult film star Kirara Asuka.
On Thursday, Ju Haknyeon filed a defamation lawsuit against Choi Ji Ye, a reporter at South Korean outlet TenAsia, accusing her of publishing "false and malicious claims" that he says damaged his reputation and career. The complaint, filed in Seoul, cites violations under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, the country's law on spreading false information online.
The lawsuit comes in response to a viral article written by Choi that alleged Ju met with Asuka at a bar in Tokyo on May 30 and paid her for sex. The claims quickly made waves on Korean social media, with hashtags linking his name to prostitution and violating South Korea's overseas anti-prostitution laws. Within days, his agency, One Hundred, announced that Ju would be leaving THE BOYZ, citing the controversy.
"I did meet with her, but I never paid for sex," Ju wrote in a handwritten letter to fans, released on June 18. "The way the situation has been twisted and weaponized is deeply unfair. I'm devastated by the false narrative being pushed."
The Seoul Gangnam Police confirmed that they received a citizen complaint about Ju allegedly soliciting prostitution abroad, but no formal charges have been filed. Under South Korean law, citizens can be prosecuted for engaging in prostitution overseas, even if it's legal in the country where it occurs.
Asuka Kirara, one of Japan's most famous former AV actresses, has not commented publicly on the allegations. The viral nature of the rumors, however, has reignited public debate in Korea over the scrutiny idols face in their private lives — and the blurred line between journalism and gossip.
Ju's legal team said that the report not only lacked evidence but that it "recklessly harmed the personal and professional integrity of our client."
"Publishing unverified allegations about a public figure without hard proof crosses the line into defamation," the legal statement read. "We will pursue all available legal remedies to protect Mr. Ju's name and seek accountability."
This case marks one of the few times a K-pop idol has responded to scandal by taking direct legal action against the press. In the past, many stars have chosen to remain silent or let agencies handle damage control, often at the cost of their careers. Ju's swift legal response signals a shift, one in which idols may be more willing to defend themselves publicly and legally.
THE BOYZ, under IST Entertainment, debuted in 2017 and gained a strong following both in South Korea and internationally. Ju Haknyeon, born in Jeju and of mixed Korean-Chinese heritage, was one of the group's most recognizable faces.
Fans have been divided since the scandal erupted. Some say Ju is being unfairly targeted by sensationalist media. Others believe idols must maintain spotless public images. On Korean forums and TikTok, heated debates continue some even questioning whether the country's harsh moral expectations for celebrities are outdated.
For now, Ju Haknyeon remains out of the spotlight, but not out of the public eye. Whether his lawsuit will succeed, or whether he'll return to the music industry at all, remains to be seen.
