The buzz in the K-pop scene is all about the recent scandal involving NCT members Johnny and Haechan. Rumors of their involvement in a sex scandal and drug use have created quite a stir among fans and the industry.
With rumors running wild, everyone is eager to uncover the truth behind the drama.
For those unversed, here’s what happened so far
How the Rumors Started
On June 3, two of NCT’s most loved members were embroiled in a controversy. Johnny and Haechan were accused of participating in a five-way with three Japanese women, two of whom were reportedly fans of NCT.
Rumors about Johnny and Haechan’s personal lives surfaced after a prominent figure in Japan’s nightlife scene shared a series of provocative photos and a tweet accusing the two K-pop stars of engaging in a sexual encounter with three Japanese women.
The tweet, posted by @kira_ceo_main, sparked widespread attention and controversy, though it’s important to note that the claims have not been substantiated or confirmed by the NCT members or their agency.
The post, which had a screenshot from one of the women’s social media accounts displaying a hotel room key and other evidence, was quickly taken down. Despite the post being taken down quickly, the accusations quickly spread like wildfire.
Photos Shared by the Japanese Girls Allegedly Involved in the Scandal
The account that kicked off all the gossip claimed that the girls were employed in the nightlife scene as cabaret hostesses.
In the photos posted by the girls through the account that sparked the rumors, three girls are pictured holding a hotel room key from the Capitol Hotel Tokyo, where Haechan did a livestream around that time.
They also posted pictures outside the hotel where the Saesangs were waiting outside.
Later, one of the girls allegedly involved in the scandal made fun of the stalkers waiting outside. She boasted about spending time with the NCT members, with a caption, “Love to see it. I’m sorry, but while you guys were waiting there, I had Johnny and Haechan stick their d*cks in me. Sorry~”
In addition, photos from their alleged night together were shared with glasses, cigarettes, cans, and bottles of alcohol on the table as well as some stuff for drinking games.
Allegations Made by the Girls Involved in the Controversy
One of the individuals at the center of the controversy, known as Miu, has been identified as an avid fan of celebrities and has been studying in Korea for three months.
She recently posted a photo suggesting she had an encounter with Jungwoo, a member of NCT, and had previously shared a conversation with a friend who invited her to a gathering using NCT as a lure.
Additionally, another girl involved, Rio, has allegedly had interactions with other idol groups besides NCT, including a claimed intimate encounter with Mark at a club, which she claims led to her becoming a fan. Rio also boasts of having explicit photos and footage of the members, including Johnny and Taeil, and claims to have damaging content that could ‘end them.’
Furthermore, the girls have set the record straight, revealing that the mysterious papers on the coffee table in one of the photos were merely props for a lively drinking game, not drugs as rumors suggested.
They also revealed that it was NCT’s manager, who arranged everything and handed over the hotel room key. According to the girls, their initial meeting with the group was a paid arrangement, but subsequent get-togethers were casual and unpaid.
The girls mentioned that they were unaware of whom they would be attending to that evening until they arrived at the room. It was stated that the boys had hired the girls using a Teco service app. In Japan, teco is a service where men can arrange for girls to visit for drinks and other sexual activities.
Involvement of Super Junior’s Kim Heechul
As the rumors began to swirl, other idols and groups were dragged into the controversy as well, especially Super Junior’s Kim Heechul.
Heechul has addressed rumors linking him to the controversy surrounding NCT members. In response to a fan’s inquiry on Dear U Bubble, Heechul clarified that he had not met the NCT members outside of work-related circumstances, denying any involvement in the alleged gatherings.
This comes after an Instagram story surfaced showing Heechul attending a drinking session with one of the women involved in the scandal, sparking speculation about his potential connection to the situation.
KBS News Received Backlash For Discussing the Scandal
Even though the allegations were unconfirmed and no official statement was released by SM Entertainment at the time, the controversy was reported by KBS News.
They mentioned the scandal while discussing SM Entertainment’s declining stock prices. As more and more details emerged, the scandal became a hot topic. SM Entertainment’s stock prices plummeted by 8%, the panelists blamed the ‘unconfirmed rumors’ to be the cause of the decline.
Fans criticized KBS News for accusing Johnny and Heachan even before the official statement from SM Entertainment was released. It could have a detrimental effect on the reputation of the artists involved.
KBS에 해찬 쟈니 김희철 관련 언급됨 ㅅㅂ pic.twitter.com/pfS0cnf3Uj
— 수파두파 (@SUPADUPAMY) June 4, 2024
SM Entertainment Responds to Rumors
Finally, SM Entertainment put all the rumors to rest by releasing an official statement on June 4. The agency vehemently denies all the allegations of prostitution and drug use made against Heachan and Johnny and announced legal action against people spreading malicious rumors regardless of their nationality.