Former Jannabi member Yoo Young Hyun has reconciled with an individual identified as victim A, nearly seven years after allegations of school violence first surfaced.
Jannabi’s leader Choi Jung Hoon shared the update through a lengthy post on the group’s official fan café on January 14. In the message, he explained, “I promised that I would speak honestly someday, and I truly wanted to keep that promise.”
The post revisited the controversy that emerged in 2019, when claims of school bullying involving Yoo Young Hyun were posted on an online community, prompting widespread backlash. Shortly afterward, Yoo Young Hyun withdrew from the group.
Addressing the matter, Choi Jung Hoon wrote, “This was something that could never be separated from Jannabi for a long time,” adding that he felt it was important to finally inform fans directly. He clarified that while Yoo Young Hyun did not commit the specific acts listed in the allegations, there had been instances of class-level bullying, and Yoo Young Hyun believed he bore responsibility for not intervening.
According to Choi Jung Hoon, although Yoo Young Hyun was not directly involved in the acts of violence, he was aware of the harm suffered by victim A and failed to stop it. “He chose to leave the team because he did not want to cause further harm to the group,” Choi added. Choi Jung Hoon explained that efforts were made with both Yoo Young Hyun and victim A in mind. “I believed that if there was sincere communication, forgiveness and resolution would eventually be possible,” he wrote.
The reconciliation reportedly took seven years to achieve. Choi emphasized, “I believe the weight of wrongdoing exists in the heart of the victim. That is why we could not rush time.” During that period, Yoo Young Hyun is said to have personally sought out the individuals who directly harassed victim A, collecting handwritten apologies and letters, which were then delivered to A.
A message from victim A was also shared. In it, A wrote, “I could feel his sincerity. He said he wanted to ease my pain, even just a little, through those apology letters.” A continued, “The actions he showed and the sincerity he carried felt like they untied a knot that even I couldn’t undo on my own. It allowed me to step out of the darkness.” In closing, A wrote, “I sincerely hope that only good things await him, and the members of Jannabi as well. I’m truly okay now.”
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