FT Island's guitarist Seunghyun has chosen to leave the group to focus on his acting career. With this new development, the future of FT Island remains uncertain until the remaining members fulfill their military service.
According to the statement of FNC Entertainment, the agency and Seunghyun decided to part ways after much discussion with members of FT Island. Seunghyun's contract ends on December 31 but remaining members Lee Hong Ki, Choi Minhwan and Lee Jae Jin opted to stay on with the agency.
It can be recalled early this year that FT Island was met with scandal when its leader, Choi Jong Hoon, became embroiled in Jung Joon Young's sex scandal. Apart from participating in a group chat where illegally filmed sex videos of women were distributed, Jong Hoon was also charged with gang rape for preying on intoxicated women along with several other accomplices.
Choi Jong Hoon was recently convicted for the crime and sentenced to five years in prison, BBC reported
However, Jong Hoon's sex scandal was not the only issue to prevent FT Island from making a comeback. Vocalist Lee Hong Ki was recently called upon to perform his 21-month mandatory service.
Minhwan, who is expecting to welcome twins to his growing family with former LABOUM member Yulhee, is awaiting his enlistment date. Jae Jin is also scheduled to enter the military in January 2020 so all the remaining members would be on hiatus for at least two years.
In his letter to fans, Seunghyun apologized to Primadonnas for his decision to leave the group. He recalled his introduction to FT Island a decade ago and said that he had many happy memories with his members and the fans, All Kpop reported.
He said that deciding to leave the group was not an easy decision to make but he felt like it was time to re-evaluate himself as Song Seung Hyun, and he wanted to time to process his pain and healing on his own.
"I was so happy. Thank you so much. I will miss you a lot. And I am so very sorry. While I was in F.T. Island, I dreamed dreams that no one could have possibly had even thought of. I'm glad I got to dream those dreams with you," he said in his heartfelt letter to the fandom.
He also wished the remaining members of FT Island well and cheered them on for the future. He also thanked FNC's CEO and staff for the help in making him become a more mature artist.
