Former THE BOYZ member Joo Haknyeon has filed a lawsuit against a journalist who published a story last year linking him to Japanese former adult film actress Asuka Kirara.

The article claimed that Haknyeon met Asuka Kirara at a private bar in Tokyo. According to Shukan Bunshun, Haknyeon visited a bar in Roppongi with acquaintances and was seen hugging Asuka Kirara at a party that lasted until early the next morning. The report suggested that Haknyeon had paid for the actress’s services.

As a result of the fallout from the publication, Haknyeon was forced to leave his agency and was hit with massive penalty fees.

Meanwhile, police announced almost immediately that they had found no grounds to investigate the case for alleged illegal sexual services.

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But the consequences for the idol proved critical. He lost his place in the group, was forced to engage in lengthy legal battles with his own agency, ONE HUNDRED - which is already the subject of extremely unfavorable rumors — and suffered massive damage to his personal reputation.

Now, finally, the Seoul Western District Prosecutor’s Office has indicted the journalist, known only by his surname Choi, on defamation charges without detention. The indictment was filed on May 12, and the news became public on June 2, 2026.

Joo Haknyeon wrote on social media: “I will hold accountable to the end the reporter and media outlet that portrayed me as a sex offender without any evidence. I filed a criminal complaint against the reporter for publishing false reports.”

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