"Admitted to using profanity against fans and bad-mouthing members"... Geon-il leaves Xdinary Heroes → released by JYP [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Former member Geon-il of the boy band Xdinary Heroes (Xdinary Heroes, XdH) revealed his feelings about leaving the group amid controversies over his private life and use of profanity.

On the 13th, Geon-il posted a lengthy message on a fan communication community, saying, "This farewell may be my last one as part of Xdinary Heroes."

That day, Geon-il bowed his head in apology, stating, "I am indeed the person who made inappropriate remarks toward fans in the released phone recording. I sincerely apologize to everyone who was disappointed and hurt." Regarding the author of the exposé, he explained, "I met this person through an acquaintance for about two weeks," adding that he had opened up to a stranger during a mentally exhausting period.

He further described the background leading to the controversial remarks, citing severe distress caused by stalkers. Geon-il said, "Early this year, there was an incident where stalkers broke into our dormitory, and they even installed location trackers on my personal vehicle and followed me." He added, "As a leader and older brother, I found it difficult to express my fear and tried to manage it myself."

He also confessed that he emotionally collapsed due to a flood of malicious criticism following the Inspire Arena concert held in June. He admitted, "I didn't want to cause worry for the company or members, so I opened up to someone I had only recently met, and in doing so, I unhesitatingly used overly harsh and incorrect expressions."

However, Geon-il clarified that the profanity was not directed at ordinary fans but at malicious ones. He emphasized, "The people I spoke to emotionally at the time were some malicious fans who hid behind anonymity to indiscriminately criticize us or invade our privacy. Those words were absolutely not meant for all Villains (the fandom name) who believed in and supported us."

Finally, he stated, "I had no choice but to accept the company's decision," formalizing his departure. Regarding allegations of bad-mouthing members, he added, "It would be a lie if I said I never had any complaints, but while I was active as part of Xdinary Heroes, I truly cared for and loved my members. To me, they have always been proud people, and the fans have always been grateful ones."

Previously, a woman claiming to be Geon-il's ex-girlfriend recently posted on an online community, revealing phone recordings in which Geon-il used profanity toward fans and bad-mouthed his members, along with messenger chat logs, sparking controversy over his private life.

As a result, JYP Entertainment terminated both Geon-il's membership in the group and his exclusive contract. On the 13th, the company announced, "We have deeply recognized the seriousness of the situation regarding Geon-il, engaged in thorough multi-faceted discussions with the artist, and concluded that it is no longer feasible to continue activities together. Therefore, by mutual agreement, we have decided to terminate his exclusive contract." The statement further clarified, "Geon-il has officially left the group as of today and will conclude his activities."

Following this, Xdinary Heroes will continue their activities with a five-member lineup consisting of Jeongsu, Gaeun, Odd, Junhan, and Juyeon.

- Below is the full text of Geon-il's post as a former member of Xdinary Heroes.

Hello Villains, this is Gu Geon-il.

This farewell may be my last one as part of Xdinary Heroes.

I truly wanted to remain with Xdinary Heroes until the very end and protect all six members of Xdinary Heroes. However, as you know, I have had no choice but to accept the company's decision.

I still find it hard to believe this is real.

There are so many things I want to say to the Villains. I still don't quite know where to start or how to explain everything.

But since I am no longer a member of Xdinary Heroes, I do not wish to hide the truth or make false excuses for myself. I believe there are things I must speak about directly, which is why I have written this message.

First, the person who wrote the post that started this incident was someone I met through an acquaintance for about two weeks.

At that time, I was mentally exhausted due to ongoing malicious comments, false stories about me, and various concerns regarding Xdinary Heroes' music and performances. Rather than burdening those close to me with my inner thoughts, I felt it was easier to open up to a stranger who barely knew me.

Yes, I am indeed the person who made inappropriate remarks toward fans in the phone recording released to the Villains.

Regardless of any reason, the fact that I said those words remains unchanged. I sincerely apologize to everyone who was disappointed and hurt.

However, I would like to truthfully explain the situation and emotions I was in at the time, as well as who those words were directed toward.

Early this year, there was an incident where stalkers broke into our dormitory, and they even installed location trackers on my personal vehicle and followed me. Experiencing such events led to significant fear and resentment toward some malicious fans, and I went through a very difficult time mentally.

However, as both a leader and an older brother, I could not easily express my fears or anxieties. I tried my best to control my emotions on my own.

Then, in June this year, we prepared for the Inspire Arena concert with the intention of delivering the very best performance to the Villains alongside the members. We prepared with all our hearts, and after completing the first day's performance, I checked social media with high expectations.

Of course, no performance can be perfect, and we acknowledge that there are areas where we need to improve and continue growing. However, on that day, I encountered many malicious comments that went far beyond opinions or criticism of the performance—comments that were difficult for us to understand.

Since the performance was prepared with all our sincerity, seeing unexpected criticism and malicious comments likely caused me to emotionally collapse.

Yet, not wanting to cause worry for the company staff or members, I could not easily share my feelings. In the end, I opened up to someone I had only recently met, and in doing so, I unhesitatingly used overly harsh and incorrect expressions.

I never imagined that our conversation would be recorded and made public. However, regardless of whether it was disclosed or not, I clearly understand that saying those words was wrong.

But there is one thing I must clarify.

The people I spoke to emotionally at the time were some malicious fans who hid behind anonymity to indiscriminately criticize us or invade our privacy. Those words were absolutely not directed at all the Villains who believed in and supported us.

Because I have always tried to show myself as a sincere and reliable leader, I believe the disappointment and sense of betrayal you felt through this incident must have been even greater. For that, I am truly sorry.

Around the time of the June Inspire concert, I was going through a mentally difficult period for various reasons. It is also true that I met that person around then and relied on them emotionally to some extent at the time.

I understand this explanation may sound like an excuse.

But I want to clearly state that those words were never directed at the Villains whom I truly loved and trusted.

Also, if I said I never had any complaints about the members with whom I lived together every day and shared many aspects of work and private life, that would be a lie as well. However, I can say without any shame that while I was active as part of Xdinary Heroes, I truly cared for and loved my members, and I have always been grateful for the love sent by the Villains.

To me, the members have always been proud people, and the Villains have always been grateful ones.

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*This content was translated by AI.