Former BEAST/Highlight member Yong Junhyung has recently found himself back in the public eye, largely due to his relationship with HyunA and his tangential connection to the infamous Burning Sun scandal through Jung Joon Young. This renewed attention has prompted him to address the issue once again, particularly in light of a recent documentary that has reignited public scrutiny.
In 2019, Yong Junhyung admitted to receiving and watching an illegal video sent by Jung Joon Young and engaging in inappropriate conversations about it. However, he denied any involvement in the chatrooms where these activities were discussed. He described himself as a bystander rather than an active participant. When he returned to the industry in 2022, he reiterated his apology and clarified his role. Now, with the issue resurfacing, he has taken to Instagram to speak out once more.
“Hello, this is Yong Junhyung. Back then, I was undoubtedly foolish and made mistakes. I couldn’t correct the wrong situation, and amid heated criticism without knowing what the right choice was, I was fearful and did not want to cause harm to the company and members because of me, so I made the choice to leave the group with the determination to lose everything from the place that was everything to me for years. I clicked on the video showing a black screen that was sent through a personal chat without any description, and before clicking it, I had no way to know what it was or what the intention was. After this, I could have said, ‘Stop, this is wrong,’ but I couldn’t become the person who can say this, and I just shrugged it off. However, as I explained then and appealed even afterwards, I never joined that certain group chat room nor was involved in the incident where despicable things that I don’t even want to speak of happened. For years, many media outlets and people have repeatedly labeled me as one of the figures involved in that incident stating that I was a member of the chat room and that I consumed illegal footage. I spoke about the parts that were not true, but to everyone and in every article, I became the same kind of person as those people with whom I have nothing to do with. I wasn’t confident enough to bring up past events again myself, and with just the thought of, ‘It will pass,’ I spent time ignoring [the situation] without working up the courage. Even if I get hurt or scarred, I will endure and get through them. Please… I sincerely ask that my family and the people I love and cherish as well as those watching me despite my shortcomings including fans not be hurt. To all of you, and to many journalists, I will strive every day to deeply reflect on the aspects that I couldn’t correct in the past and the foolish actions and remarks in order to become a mature person. Thank you for reading this unorganized long post. It seems that it is easy to catch a nasty cold in hot summer. Please take care of your health, and have a happy day!”
Yong Junhyung’s primary aim appears to be clarifying his role in the scandal, emphasizing that he was more of a bystander than an active participant. This aligns with the reporting done on the matter, and it’s understandable why he would want to set the record straight. However, given the gravity of the scandal, some might argue that a more apologetic tone would be appropriate, especially considering the victims involved.
HyunA, who is currently dating Yong Junhyung, has also faced criticism due to his past. During a recent appearance on Jo Hyun Ah’s YouTube channel, she addressed the public’s perception of their relationship. “To be honest, I am very aware of what people think, but if I pay attention to that and chase the public’s approval, there are times when I lose the value of happiness. And so, rather than [people’s approval], I focus on myself right now,” she said. Despite her declaration of love, the video was met with a barrage of negative comments, with many criticizing her for being in a relationship with someone connected to the Burning Sun scandal.
The Burning Sun scandal, which involved former BIGBANG member Seungri, former F.T. Island member Choi Jong Hoon, and Jung Joon Young, has been a significant blemish on the K-pop industry. The recent BBC documentary titled “Burning Sun: Exposing the secret K-pop chat groups” has brought the scandal back into the spotlight, leading to renewed criticism of those tangentially connected to it, including Yong Junhyung.
Yong Junhyung’s involvement was limited to receiving an illegal video in a private chat and making inappropriate comments in 2015. This led to his departure from HIGHLIGHT and his completion of military service by November 2020. Upon his return in 2022, he clarified that he did not participate in any of Jung Joon Young’s group chats. While he wasn’t legally punished, public opinion has labeled him a bystander who failed to act against criminal activities.
The fact that Yong Junhyung is Goo Ha Ra’s ex-lover and his current girlfriend is HyunA, who was close to Goo Ha Ra, has also led to criticism of HyunA. After watching the BBC documentary, many netizens expressed their disappointment in HyunA’s relationship with Yong Junhyung on her social media accounts.
Singer Block B’s Zico was also called out again. In 2016, Zico revealed on MBC’s “Radio Star” that Jung Joon Young had a “golden mobile phone,” which stirred controversy. Zico stated that he saw only a list of contacts, denying any involvement in the scandal. However, some netizens questioned his claim, suggesting he might have seen incriminating content.
Lee Chul Woo, a model-turned-actor, also addressed rumors of his involvement in Jung Joon Young’s group chat. On May 20, he reiterated, “I want to emphasize again that I did not participate in the group chat with illegal content,” adding that the chat was related to a 2016 entertainment program.
Meanwhile, the BBC’s documentary about the Burning Sun Scandal continues to gain popularity among global K-pop fans, keeping the issue in the public eye and prompting those involved to address their past actions once more.
