After serving a 2-year, 6-month prison sentence for his involvement in a group sexual assault case, former FT Island member Choi Jong Hoon is making a comeback to the Japanese entertainment scene, but public reception remains tepid.
Recently, Choi Jong-hoon's channel has been added to Japan's largest fan community platform, 'FANICON.' This platform allows fans to engage in conversations with celebrities, requiring a subscription fee of 5,000 KRW (approximately $4).
In a statement on the platform, Choi expressed gratitude, saying, "It's been about 5 years since I greeted you all. I drew strength from each of your messages, allowing me to show a healthier version of myself. I am truly thankful."
He continued, "In the future, I want to share everything about what I want to do and my personal life. I will make an effort to create a bright future with all of you. Please support me. Thank you in advance."
Choi Jong-hoon, along with other members of the so-called 'Jung Joon-young chatroom,' was prosecuted in 2016 for the group sexual assault and illegal filming of an intoxicated woman in locations like Gangwon Hongcheon in January and Daegu in March of the same year.
After serving his sentence for violating laws related to violent crimes (special rape), Choi was released on parole in November 2021. In January of the following year, his YouTube channel revealed glimpses of Choi attending church. Despite this, public sentiment towards his return to the entertainment industry appears cool.
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The fact he only got 2 1/2 years for multiple SA's he's committed on film is unfathomable to me. He should be behind bars for the next several decades.