Fantasy Boys is already being hounded by controversy even before its official launch as member Yu Jun Won is confirmed to no longer debut with the group.
Pocketdol Studio announced on Wednesday, August 23, that only 11 members of Fantasy Boys will debut in September, with Yu Jun Won not part of the lineup.
Initially, 12 individuals were chosen from MBC’s global audition program to debut as members of Fantasy Boys. Among the 12 members, it was even Yu Jun Won who ranked first in the competition.
SBS E shares boy group Fantasy Boys, from MBC survival "Fantasy Boys" will debut as 11 instead of 12
Yu Junwon hasn't appeared with the group recently
PocketDol Studio will share a statement about Junwon soon but confirmed he hasn't participated in recent group activities
— 파룬 (@balloon_wanted) August 23, 2023
What went wrong?
According to the agency, while they’d want the 12 members to debut together, Yu Jun Won cannot participate in group activities due to “his unauthorized departure.”
Pocketdol Studio mentioned that after the program ended, they discussed the contract with the members’ parents several times. The company shared that the contract was even according to the standard terms and conditions established by the Fair Trade Commission.
However, the agency claimed that Yu Jun Won’s parents requested to modify the contract. Allegedly, the parents wanted to increase their son’s profit sharing rate, citing that he was the one who ranked first in the program.
In response, the agency said that they couldn’t have a different profit distribution rate among the members as it may cause equity issues in the future.
#Update: PocketDol Studio share statement that Fantasy Boys will debut as 11 without Yu Junwon
PDS shares they could not come to an agreement with Junwon's parents – request was to adjust Junwon's profit split + shares Junwon left without permission twicehttps://t.co/dzQrm34UDl
— 파룬 (@balloon_wanted) August 23, 2023
Next, Pocketdol Studio claimed that Yu Jun Won’s parents made him leave the company without permission twice. They said that by this time, they already told the idol that he wouldn’t be able to join the team.
Given this circumstance, the agency decided to continue with the 11 members instead. Only Hikari, Hikaru, Hong Sung Min, Kaeden, Kang Min Seo, Kim Gyu Rae, Kim Woo Seok, KSoul, Lee Han Bin, Lingqi, and Oh Hyeon Tae will debut.
Additionally, the agency requested fans to continue their support to the remaining 11 members. They also promised that they will resolve the issue with Yu Jun Won amicably.
How are fans taking the news?
Even before Pocketdol Studio released a statement, fans have already been clamoring for an update about Yu Jun Won in the previous days.
On social media, they trended the hashtag “Where is Yu Jun Won” as they noticed that the aspiring idol was not in any of the group’s recent activities.
FANTASY BOYS is 12 members. YuJunWon is Ours Leader & Center.Please respect Junwon&Bandi. @fantasyboys_twt @PocketDolStudio @m25_official Please release official statement #WHEREISYUJUNWON #ProtectYUJUNWON #AlwaysLove_YUJUNWON #FANTASYBOY #판타지보이즈 #YUJUNWON #유준원
— reiishunsuke (@shunKD_0720) August 20, 2023
To : @pocketdolstudio @M25_official @fantasyboys_twt
As an artist management company, you have to inform the fans of the real situation. We are worried, we need to know what happened to Yu Junwon?#WHEREISYUJUNWON
WHERE IS YU JUNWON— FRAME – SeungWoo is back (@Delululu1) August 19, 2023
Stop playing with fans feelings please give us an update regarding on current status of @fantasyboys_twt and Junwon!! @PocketDolStudio!!!#WHEREISYUJUNWON #YUJUNWON #FANTASYBOYS #유준원 #판타지보이즈 #ProtectYUJUNWON
— 히카루 ✨ (@hkrzip) August 21, 2023
Following the news, fans are worried about Yu Jun Won‘s current status with the group. Some fans are confused whether he’s no longer part of the group at all, or is it just a temporary suspension.
https://twitter.com/fanbotwt/status/1694189428946698478
https://twitter.com/fanbotwt/status/1694190688747814978
Moreover, fans are also wary about the reasoning given by Pocketdol Studio. Several online users said that they’d rather wait for a statement from the idol’s side, as well.
You know we should be as cautious as possible because all news about Junwon is only from journalists and Pocket Idod and Junwon's family have not yet spoken.Please protect Junwon and report all posts backbite Junwon#WHEREISYUJUNWON #YUJUNWON
#ProtectYUJUNWON#AlwaysLove_JUNWON pic.twitter.com/nSAR987LSj— Ciara/Winifred(*•̀ᴗ•́*)و ̑̑ (@1a3Ngo67438) August 23, 2023
Junwon’s family continued to support him without caring about money. I don't know why they lie and bring hatred to his parents. I think it's not money, but something else that they can't disclose. #AlwaysLove_JUNWON #YUJUNWON pic.twitter.com/kFBRaJN9OJ
— Junwon (@gfjunwon) August 23, 2023
Meanwhile, there is still no official debut date for Fantasy Boys in Korea. Although, the group has been actively promoting in Japan.
Featured image: Yu Jun Won poses in his profile photo for Fantasy Boys. Credit: Twitter/Fantasy Boys