Yes. The worst has happened. 2PM's leader Park Jaebeom has quit for good, after it was announced on JYPE's website on February 25th, Hottests in Korea and from all over the world are in shock. Excerpts from JYP Entertainment's online letter:

"On December 22nd, 2009, Jaebeom confessed to Jung Wook representative that he had done something wrong during Again and Again promotions. Apparently, it was far more serious than his MySpace controversy. The six other members were not notified then as they were busy with year-end activities. On January 3rd, 2010, everyone of us (along with the members) sat down for a discussion and came to an agreement 3 days later that it was no longer possible for Park Jaebeom to continue activities along with 2PM. We thus decided to terminate our exclusive contract with Jaebeom."

JYPE stated that Jaebeom's social impulses were a private matter and will not be revealed. They expressed that it was difficult to reveal the details of Park Jaebeom's offenders who had intruded into his privacy and posted the comments. JYPE had planned for Jaebeom's comeback back in November 2009, with the idea of a return in April 2010, to which Jaebeom himself agreed. The plan was for Jaebeom to return to Korea in the 3rd week of February 2010 and have a press conference before resuming activities with 2PM in April. This comeback news were all kept secret, with the aim of protecting Jaebeom and 2PM. But it has now all become void.

We can only hope that the JYP conference planned for the 27th along with the 2PM fan communities will proceed smoothly. Currently, 100 Hottests have gathered at the JYPE building in Seoul to protest at the point of writing.