On June 2, 2025, STARSHIP Entertainment officially announced that Park Jun Hwan, one of the final members of the upcoming boy group IDID, has withdrawn from the debut lineup.
The decision comes amid online rumors and malicious accusations that, according to the agency, are entirely unfounded and false.
In its public statement, STARSHIP firmly denied the allegations spreading across social media and online communities.
The agency revealed that after conducting thorough checks of Park’s academic history and speaking with school officials, they found no evidence to support any of the rumors.
They also confirmed that the false narratives originated from impersonators, who posed as acquaintances of Park Jun Hwan in anonymous chatrooms and forums.
Despite these findings, the ongoing online harassment and slander took a heavy psychological toll on Park, who is still a minor.
STARSHIP stated that his mental health had deteriorated to the point where it began to seriously affect his daily life, prompting him to voluntarily step away from his debut.
The agency respected his wishes and promised to provide him with ample time to rest and recover.
To address the defamation, STARSHIP also revealed a handwritten apology letter from the individual responsible for spreading the initial rumors.
The person admitted that the information was baseless and acknowledged the harm caused to Park Jun Hwan’s image.
Furthermore, STARSHIP confirmed plans to take legal action under multiple South Korean laws, including the Act on the Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse.
This will target those involved in spreading falsehoods, sexually harassing remarks, and defamatory content against Park Jun Hwan.
Though Park will no longer debut with IDID, STARSHIP expressed gratitude to fans for their support and asked the public to understand his decision.
They also emphasized their continued commitment to protecting their artists’ mental well-being and legal rights.
The announcement has left many fans disappointed but sympathetic, highlighting the increasingly serious impact of cyberbullying and rumor culture on young public figures, particularly K-pop trainees who face intense scrutiny even before debut.
IDID is still expected to debut in the second half of 2025, but without Park Jun Hwan in the lineup.
