F.T. Island's Hongki recently addressed Minhwan's prostitution allegations during the band's concert.

At the event, Hongki indirectly spoke to fans about Minhwan's situation. A fan who attended shared on social media that Hongki spoke "at great length" about the issue, emphasizing that "people's opinions may differ on whether Minhwan should leave the group," but urged everyone to "wait until all the results are revealed."

Another fan present at the concert expressed their frustration, writing:

"I’m really feeling overwhelmed... I don’t know what final stance they’ll take on this, so I’ll just share what he’s been repeating... Fans need to breathe too.

Hongki said: 'Please wait just a little longer until we get some kind of result.'"

After the concert, Hongki took to Instagram, sharing a group photo and the following message:

"Thank you so much. Today, I gained a lot of strength from my best friend [my fans]. I’m grateful that we could meet in person and talk about the things we wanted to share. In the future, I’ll also meet up and talk with new friends. Talking face-to-face conveys things much better without misunderstandings than writing does. Thank you so, so much!!"

In addition, Hongki sharply responded on Weverse to a fan who criticized Minhwan and Hongki, saying that even the allegations of "visiting prostitution establishments" were enough to lose the fans' support and that "there is nothing to wait for."

To this, Hongki replied:

"What if it's not prostitution or a prostitution establishment? Will you take responsibility for what you're saying right now?"

The reactions to Hongki's words were mostly critical, with many netizens questioning his stance. Here are some responses:

"Ah, seriously, just disband already."
"No, really, who does he think he is?"
"Wow, why is he treating a fan like that?"
"So what did they do with the ladies then? LOL"
"Why say that to a fan? Just go ask the member about it."
"Ah, okay, then please just leave together."

Meanwhile, some netizens preferred to stay neutral, believing there might be information the public doesn't know, considering how adamant Hongki seems to be.

Those comments included:

"Is there something that makes him so confident?"
"It's not too late to condemn him after clear results come out."
"I don't think Lee Hongki would blindly defend someone. Is he really just defending him without any cause?"
"I'm going to stay neutral."
"If Lee Hongki is speaking like that, there must be something we don’t know."
"There are places where women just serve drinks and socialize without prostitution. Is it fair to accuse them of prostitution if they didn’t actually engage in it?"

Netizens also accused Hongki of using an "accusatory tone" toward fans and criticized neutral fans' comments, labeling them as "nam-mi-sae," a derogatory term used in contemporary South Korean society to describe those who are "crazy about men."

Additional reactions included:

"Does Lee Hongki think he's the one married to Choi Minhwan? Why is he acting like he knows everything?"
"You can definitely tell the gender of the commenters on these posts."
"LOL, typical Korean men..."
"The loyalty among men is disgusting. Defending this, really?"
"They're going down together. Goodbye."
"Hongki, just stay quiet."
"Have you not listened to the recording yet? Even if he’s innocent, he should present solid evidence himself. Why does a third party have to keep stepping in?"
"Is he serious? LOL Did he listen to the recording?"
"How can that not be a prostitution establishment? Is my understanding different from his?"
"I thought he had cut ties with him, but I guess not."
"And what if it's just a bar?"
"Where did he learn to stick money into someone’s chest, then? LOL"

What are your thoughts on this controversy?

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