Starship Entertainment has announced the departure of Wonho from MONSTA X amid allegations of incurring debt and going to juvenile detention when he was a minor. However, fans are sticking by him by fighting for his reinstatement.
According to the label, Wonho chose to leave the group to protect the members from the negative impacts of accusations made against him by Jung Da Eun and former idol trainee Han Seo Hee. The company added that it was a mutual decision between Starship Entertainment and Wonho to part ways amicably, All Kpop reported.
It can be recalled that, on Oct. 29, Wonho's former roommate Jung Da Eun posted a screengrab of MONSTA X's comeback and said: "Ho Seok, when are you going to pay me back?"
Controversial idol trainee Han Seo Hee also replied to the post and accused Wonho of owing Da Eun 30 million won. Han Seo Hee is a familiar name among fans of Kpop since she also figured in marijuana controversy of YG Entertainment artists T.O.P of BIGBANG and former iKON leader B.I.
Apart from claims of debt, Han Seo Hee also accused Wonho of spending time in juvenile detention when he was a minor because of special charges. She taunted the former MONSTA X member that spending time in juvie makes him a convict.
While he did not directly admit the allegations, Wonho appealed for understanding from the fans as he announced his official departure from MONSTA X.
"There was a time when I was immature and have made big and small mistakes, but after becoming a trainee and making my debut, I stayed on track and worked hard to avoid being ashamed of myself," he said in his letter. He profusely apologized to fans for disappointing them.
He further asked the fans to continue supporting MONSTA X and said that the members should not be included in any public censure because of his issues.
However, instead of criticizing Wonho because of the issues, Monbebes showed an outpouring of support for the beleaguered MONSTA X member. Fans went to the building of Starship Entertainment to stick post-its on the wall, asking Wonho to stay with the group. They also started a Change.org petition to reinstate Wonho as a member of MONSTA X. The petition has already been signed by over 400,000 fans within three days. Monbebes set a target of 500,000 signatures to signify their support for the MONSTA X member, Metro reported.
In a recent development, Jung Da Eun went on an interview with Dispatch to accuse her former roommate of doing drugs back in 2013. Police are, reportedly, investigating Wonho and have taken his hair follicle samples to perform a drug test. He is expected to be summoned by authorities at a later date depending on the result of his drug test, All Kpop reported.
