Musical theater actor Kim Jun-young has decided to step down from all his current stage productions following a major controversy involving allegations that he visited an illegal adult entertainment establishment. His talent agency, HJ Culture, announced the decision on Tuesday, expressing sincere apologies to fans and industry partners affected by the scandal.
The agency released an official statement addressing the situation directly. "We sincerely apologize to audiences and all parties involved for the concern caused by recent events regarding our artist Kim Jun-young. The actor will withdraw from all productions in which he is currently appearing," HJ Culture stated. The company emphasized that this decision required extensive coordination with multiple theater production teams, as Kim was actively participating in several different shows at the time.
HJ Culture explained that the withdrawal process was complex and time-consuming due to the actor's multiple commitments. "As the actor was participating in several works, it took time to make and announce the final decision after consulting with each production," the agency said in their statement. The company also acknowledged criticism regarding their delayed response to the controversy, admitting they should have communicated more effectively from the beginning.
The talent agency issued an additional apology for their handling of the crisis. "We deeply regret the initial lack of communication while we were taking steps to act responsibly toward those who have supported and trusted him," HJ Culture stated. This acknowledgment came after facing public criticism for remaining silent during the early stages of the controversy.
The scandal began when Kim Jun-young posted a photograph of a receipt on his personal social media account that included a woman's name along with a monetary amount. Although the actor quickly deleted the post, it had already been captured and shared widely online, sparking immediate speculation and rumors about his activities. Internet users began questioning whether the receipt provided evidence that he had visited an illegal adult entertainment venue.
Despite the mounting pressure and speculation, HJ Culture has maintained Kim's innocence throughout the controversy. The agency issued a firm denial of all allegations, stating, "We clearly state that there was no illegal activity whatsoever. We will take firm legal action against the spread of malicious false information and defamation if necessary." The company indicated they are prepared to pursue legal remedies against anyone spreading what they consider to be false and damaging information about their client.
Kim Jun-young began his musical theater career in 2018 with his debut performance in the production of "Singing in the Rain." Since then, he has built a reputation in the Korean musical theater scene and has appeared in various productions. Most recently, he was performing in the critically acclaimed musical "Amadeus" before the controversy forced his withdrawal from all current projects. His departure from these productions will likely require casting changes and potential schedule adjustments for the affected shows.
