Rookie boy band Alpha Drive One's Geonwoo apologized for his alleged verbal abuse against a production staff member and will be pausing all band activities for a time of “self-reflection.”

Alpha Drive One's agency WakeOne said Geonwoo will not be participating in future activities, and that the scheduled fan concert and band will continue as a group of seven for the time being.


“Kim Geon-woo is deeply reflecting on this incident. Following discussions with the company, he has decided to take time off for self-reflection,” WakeOne said in a statement Wednesday.

The boy band member came under fire mere weeks after the group's debut on Jan. 12, when people claiming to be witnesses shared stories of Geonwoo verbally abusing a staff member during a broadcast recording that surfaced online.

Alpha Drive One, formed through Mnet's boy band audition program “Boys II Planet” (2024), debuted on Jan. 12 with its first EP “Euphoria.”

“Through my immature words and actions, I have caused concern to many and shown a disappointing side of myself,” the member said in a handwritten letter on Wednesday. “I want to apologize to the fans who support us, the Alpha Drive One members who are always working hard by my side, the staff working tirelessly on set and all the personnel putting so much effort on our behalf.”

While both Geonwoo and WakeOne’s statements do not specify the details of the alleged incident, both of their statements seem to allude to the allegations that surfaced in January.

“Kim Geon-woo, unaware that his microphone was turned on, expressed his dissatisfaction using inappropriate language,” WakeOne’s statement reads, adding that the incident “happened during a pre-debut content shoot.”

The agency argued that Geonwoo’s remarks were not “criticism or personal attacks directed at any specific individual” and said he was merely talking to himself.

“An apology was sent to the production team immediately after the incident. [WakeOne] believed that the incident was closed through mutual agreement,” the statement said.

WakeOne said the agency and the artist’s official statements took time as they had to investigate different rumors that have surfaced online.

“Other than the case under discussion, other allegations [about Geonwoo] are not true,” WakeOne said.


BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]