On the October 27th broadcast of 'The Return of Superman', Choi Minhwan was nowhere to be seen. The episode focused solely on the daily lives of Jang Dong Min, Park Soo Hong, and DinDin, with no footage of Choi Minhwan, whose segments had been removed.
Choi Minhwan had previously been embroiled in allegations of visiting entertainment establishments and solicitation, following revelations from his ex-wife, Yulhee, leading to his departure from the show.
His agency, FNC Entertainment, stated, "It is difficult for us to grasp the details of his personal matters, but Choi Minhwan feels a sense of responsibility for disappointing the public and viewers. As such, he has decided to suspend all media activities, including appearances with his children."
The producers of 'The Return of Superman' also clarified, "There are no pre-recorded segments involving him."
Choi Minhwan has faced repercussions beyond just the show, being effectively removed from performing on stage. During FT Island's Asia tour in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on October 26th, he played the drums from behind the stage and did not appear in the group photos. For the upcoming 'Grand Mint Festival 2024' on November 2nd, a session musician will replace him on drums. It is also likely that he will not participate in other events such as the Macau performance, 'Love in Seoul 2024,' and the 'Kori Nuclear Power Plant Music Festival.'
The public's response has been overwhelmingly negative. Choi Minhwan, who was previously well-loved as a caring father on shows like 'Mr. House Husband' and 'The Return of Superman,' has left many feeling betrayed by the allegations of solicitation involving a father of three children. As a result, a formal request for an investigation into the allegations against Choi Minhwan has been submitted.
Amid the controversy, Lee Hong Ki has stirred further debate by defending Choi Minhwan.
On October 25th, Lee Hong Ki wrote on the fan interaction platform Weverse, "This was a personal matter between the two, and it turned out this way. If something was done wrong, he should apologize and bow his head. But let's not be too quick to believe everything. I have to stand by him. Endure it. That's who we are. All I can do is take the hits and keep moving forward."
In response to a fan's comment, which said, "The issue isn’t fact-checking the revelations, but whether a father of three solicited services or not. There’s already plenty of evidence, and the police have begun an investigation. I don’t see why we have to wait any longer. No one wants to support someone who frequents such establishments,"
Lee Hong Ki replied, "What if it’s not solicitation or such a place? Can you take responsibility for what you’re saying?"
On October 27th, Lee Hong Ki expressed gratitude to fans, saying, "Thank you so much. I drew a lot of strength from my closest friend today. I’m glad we could have the conversations we wanted face-to-face. I will also speak directly to those we will meet in the future, as it’s better to convey things in person to avoid misunderstandings. Thank you so much."
However, many fans have expressed displeasure over Lee Hong Ki's repeated defense of Choi Minhwan. While it remains unclear whether Choi Minhwan engaged in solicitation, the recordings released by Yulhee include terms and locations that strongly suggest visits to such establishments.
As discontent with FT Island grows, Choi Minhwan continues to remain silent on the matter.
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