Ravi has officially left VIXX. Jellyfish Entertainment confirmed the rapper’s departure in an official statement. Kim Wonsik also issued an apology following his military-related scandal.
Ravi’s Departure From VIXX Confirmed By Jellyfish Entertainment
Jellyfish Entertainment shared an official statement confirming Ravi’s departure from VIXX. “After careful discussion between Ravi and the agency, it was decided that he will leave the team as of today,” the statement read. The agency also apologized “for causing trouble to the fans who support VIXX.”
젤리피쉬 엔터테인먼트입니다.
— RealVIXX (@RealVIXX) April 11, 2023
Ravi Issues Apology To Fans, Epilepsy Patients
For his part, Ravi issued an apology addressing the controversy. The rapper admitted that he tried to postpone his military service for the benefit of his label GROOVL1N. He also explained why he decided to take drastic measures and ended up violating the Military Service Act.
“In the past, I was assigned to public service due to illness I had. I was postponing my service for my activities when I reached the point where it was difficult to postpone my service any further,” Ravi wrote.
“I was the only artist in the company generating profits, and the implementation dates for the contracts that were signed before COVID-19 were being postponed without certainty. So with the burden of contract cancellation charges, I was desperate to delay my military service,” he continued.
Kim Wonsik also apologized to “the epilepsy patients and their families who must have been hurt by this self-justified wrong decision.” He extended his apologies to those who are “diligently carrying out their duty even at this moment.”
“I think I am a person who is lacking a lot and still has much to learn. I think it is my responsibility to take all the criticism over this incident. The more you scold me, the more I will repent and learn from it,” Ravi wrote.
What Happened To Ravi’s Military Enlistment?
Earlier in 2023, a group of brokers were arrested on charges of corruption to evade military service. The group worked by designating their clients to a neurologist who then provides a false medical diagnosis of epilepsy. This allows the client to be exempted from military service or receive a lesser military grade. The brokers promoted their services by claiming they helped a famous idol rapper, who turned out to be Ravi.
The first trial for eight individuals on charges of violating the Military Service Act was held on April 11, 2023. The individuals included Ravi, GROOVL1N co-CEO “A”, and Nafla who is also under the same label. During the trial, the prosecution requested two-year sentences for Ravi and “A” as well as two years and six months for Nafla.