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The 'BOYS24 Re:born Semi Final Round 1' was held this past March 5, with a total of 9 members becoming selected as the first unit members to begin official promotions. Jin Sung Ho had been one of the nine, but shortly after, malicious rumors began roaming the web, with netizens supposedly claiming they had been bullied or been subject to violence by Jin Sung Ho in the past, alleged witness accounts of Jin Sung Ho committing serious offenses in school, and more. 

CJ E&M and Liveworks Company have released an official statement regarding Jin Sung Ho's decision to step down from the first promoting group on March 10. The Statement said:

"We clarify the official position on the issue about Jin Sung Ho of BOYS24 and his past. For the last few days, the issue about his bad behavior during [his] school days was brought up on the Internet and it made fans who love him shocked and dismayed.

We read the post and comments from people who were hurt by his behavior, held emergency meetings several times, and talked over the matter with Sungho. And there, Sungho said he deeply regrets his immature behavior during his school days.

Regardless of what the reason may have been, he sincerely apologized for his behavior in the past and asked for forgiveness from everyone who was hurt because of him, members who are working really hard for BOYS24, and fans who have loved and supported him.

And, he said he wants to have time for self-restraint and self-reflection and to drop out of the first promotional unit, even though fans chose him and that was what he really wanted to do as well.

Although Sungho leaves the first promotional unit, we hope to see him work hard for BOYS24 as a member of BOYS24, do his best on every stage, and grow through it.

We are very sorry to have caused you so much anxiety and beg to inform you that the promotional unit, which will release a new single album and start their promotion in April, will go only with the 8 members."

The announcement also warned of strong legal actions against any future, unconfirmed rumors and malicious comments regarding BOYS24. The first official BOYS24 unit will consist of 8 members, who will begin activities this coming April.