K-pop group TEMPEST member Hwarang will temporarily take a hiatus from all his activities. The K-pop act’s agency, Yuehua Entertainment, has released a statement regarding Hwarang’s temporary suspension.
Before Hwarang’s suspension from group activities, Yuehua Entertainment released a separate statement on February 20. The statement revealed that the 22-year-old K-pop star is reflecting upon his actions after the ‘clubbing controversy’ where fans spotted him in a nightclub.
In the first statement, the agency stated: “He has resolved to not repeat his actions, and the agency and artist Hwarang will take special care so that such actions are not repeated.”
Tempest Hwarang on hiatus after ‘issues regarding his personal life’ cause controversy
TEMPEST Hwarang will not be active in his idol career after issues regarding his personal life have caused controversy. His agency, Yuehua Entertainment’s latest statement read: “We held thorough discussions with Hwarang regarding his activities going forward following the issues regarding his personal life that were revealed via social media.”
“In this process, Hwarang was unable to restore trust, and with this situation, we made the judgment that it will be difficult to carry on activities as a full group.”
Hwarang will not participate in the promotions of the group’s upcoming mini album TEMPEST VOYAGE. The comeback album will drop on March 11 at 6 p.m. KST/ 4 a.m. ET. The Other six group members, Hanbin, Hyeongseop, Hyuk, Eunchan, Lew, and Taerae, will carry out all group activities for their upcoming comeback album as planned.
Besides group activities, reports also state that Hwarang is taking a break from his MC stint at Show Champion. Xdinary Heroes Gaon and EPEX Keum Donghyun will continue hosting the weekly music show.
This will not be the first time that Hwarang has taken a hiatus. After debuting with TEMPEST in 2022, the member underwent surgery for his injured shoulder in October 2023. He had to take a temporary leave to recover.
Before debuting with the rising K-pop group TEMPEST, Hwarang participated in MBC’s reality television competition Under Nineteen in 2018.