“If I have to pay that, my life is over.” These were the emotional words of Joo Haknyeon, former member of THE BOYZ, as he opened up in an exclusive interview with Billboard about the fallout from his alleged meeting with retired Japanese AV actress Asuka Kirara—and the staggering lawsuit that followed.
The incident dates back to May 29, 2025, when THE BOYZ attended the Asia Star Entertainer Awards in Yokohama, Japan. According to Joo, after the ceremony ended at 10 PM, he went out for drinks with friends at a local bar—where he met Asuka Kirara for the first time.
“It was a large group. I was introduced to her that night. As far as I know, she retired five to seven years ago,” he said, clarifying that their conversation was casual and focused on Kirara’s post-acting ventures in cosmetics and beauty. “We chatted, had drinks. I’m 27 years old—adults drink, don’t they?”
However, a tabloid storm erupted after photos of the two surfaced in Japanese outlet Shukan Bunshun, sparking allegations of inappropriate behavior. Joo strongly denied any wrongdoing, saying, “I never spent the night with Asuka Kirara. I don’t know why they published such claims without any evidence.”
Joo believes the images were secretly taken and sold to the press, possibly by someone present at the gathering. The scandal intensified when ONE HUNDRED, his management agency, began legal action against him. The company initially sought ₩2 billion KRW (approx. USD 1.5 million) in damages, later raising the demand to ₩8 billion KRW (over USD 6 million) with no explanation.
Despite being pressured to sign a contract termination agreement, Joo Haknyeon resisted.
“I apologized and felt guilty. But I couldn’t accept that number. If I had to pay it, I’d be bankrupt. I cried a lot—I just kept saying I can’t do this,” he shared tearfully.
The controversy first erupted in early June, when rumors of an alleged romantic encounter surfaced. On June 19, Joo publicly confirmed he had attended a drinking party on May 30, but denied any involvement in prostitution or illegal activity.
Asuka Kirara also issued a denial on June 21, explaining that she had been invited to the bar after a friend’s birthday celebration and had no idea Joo would be there. She too suspected obsessive fans might have taken and sold the photos that caused the uproar.
This case has sparked broader debate on the privacy of celebrities, power dynamics in K-pop, and how male idols are scrutinized in relation to female figures with controversial pasts—even when there is no illegal act involved.
As the lawsuit continues, Joo Haknyeon’s revelations may prompt reevaluation of how entertainment companies wield legal and media tools to control their artists—and how easily public perception can be swayed by headlines with no proof.
Sources: Znews