FANTASY BOYS will debut as an 11-member group, rather than the 12-member group as planned!
The K-pop boy band, which was put together on the survival reality TV show Fantasy Boys, is down a member as of Wednesday (August 23).
After there was a report that the boy band would debut without member Yu Junwon, their agency confirmed it with a statement, via Soompi.
“Hello. This is FUNKY STUDIO, the production company of “Fantasy Boys,” and POCKETDOL STUDIO entrusted with management,” they began.
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“We would like to deliver our stance regarding FANTASY BOYS’ Yu Junwon that was reported today. We would like to inform you that Yu Junwon, who was selected as [a member of] the debut group FANTASY BOYS through MBC’s audition program “Fantasy Boys,” will not be able to participate in group activities due to absence without leave,” they continued.
“FANTASY BOYS is a group that was created by votes from viewers through a survival program with the aim of making a debut. We sincerely apologize for [FANTASY BOYS] not being able to be together as the 12 members who were supported by the viewers.”
“Right after the program ended, we discussed the contract with Yu Junwon and Yu Junwon’s parents more than a dozen times. Despite the fact that the contract was written according to the standard terms and conditions established and recommended by the Fair Trade Commission, Yu Junwon’s parents demanded revision of the contract with an increased profit sharing rate under the pretext that [Yu Junwon] ranked No. 1 in voting, comparing him with other members. If we adjust the profit sharing rate differently from other members based on the final vote ranking, equity issues may arise, so we fully explained why we couldn’t do that every time [they asked]. However, Yu Junwon’s parents made Yu Junwon leave without permission twice, and at the same time, they notified us that he would not be able to join the group in the end.”
“As a result, FANTASY BOYS will debut as an 11-member group consisting of Kim Gyurae, Hong Seongmin, Oh Hyeontae, Lee Hanbin, Ling Qi, Kang Minseo, Hikari, K-Soul, Kim Wooseok, Hikaru, and Kaedan. We will do our best to resolve this issue amicably and will not hold back our full support so that the remaining 11 members can prepare for their debut without concerns. We ask for unchanging warm support and encouragement for the members who are about to debut. Thank you.”
The lineup for FANTASY BOYS was determined back in June on the male version of My Teen Girl, which formed the girl group CLASS:y last year.
FANTASY BOYS will make their debut in September.
Find out which K-pop groups disbanded so far in 2023.