In March 2019, Yong Jun Hyung’s name was mentioned in connection with the ‘Jung Joon Young chatroom’ scandal, leading to his departure from Highlight and controversy. At that time, Yong Jun Hyung admitted to receiving illegal recordings from Jung Joon Young’s chatroom, although he was not a member. Subsequently, he enlisted in the military, leading to a hiatus.
Yong Jun Hyung addresses past mistakes and clears up misunderstandings about the infamous chatroom scandal
On July 12, Yong Jun Hyung acknowledged his mistakes, stating, “At that time, I was foolish and wrong. I couldn’t correct the wrong situation, and, not knowing what the right choice was, I didn’t want to cause harm to the company and the members due to the heated criticism. In fear, I chose to leave the place that had been everything to me for years, determined to lose everything I cherished.”
He elaborated on the specifics of the incident, explaining, “I clicked on a video sent via a black screen in a personal messenger without any explanation. Before I viewed it, I didn’t know what it was or the intention behind it. Later, I could have said, ‘Stop it, this is wrong,’ but I wasn’t the person who could say such things, and I passed it off lightly.” He emphasized, “However, as I said then and have pleaded since, I never entered that group chat room, nor was I involved in the events I don’t even want to mention.”
“For years, the media and many people have mentioned me as one of the people involved in that incident and a chatroom member. They said I consumed illegal recordings. Even though I clarified the parts that weren’t true, no one listened, and I became the same as those unrelated people in every article,” he said, to express his frustration with the circulating rumors.
In a heartfelt plea, he adds, “Even if I get hurt and scarred, I will endure it. Please, I earnestly ask that my loved ones, including my family, fans who look at me despite my shortcomings, and everyone else don’t get hurt.