SEOUL – A K-pop star has been indefinitely suspended by his management company after he was accused of being a bully while at school.
Hyunjin, 20, of boy band Stray Kids, issued an apology after allegations by an unnamed former schoolmate that he was verbally abusive during his teens.
Seven other celebrities in South Korea have faced accusations in recent days but most have denied the allegations.
Last month a pair of volleyball superstars and twin sisters were removed from the Korean national team following similar allegations.
School bullying is not more of an issue in South Korea than elsewhere, but in recent weeks the issue has been a topic of much debate.
On Saturday, Hyunjin’s management agency JYP Entertainment said in a statement that the singer will “take the time to self-reflect after halting all of his activities as a celebrity”.
It added: “He sincerely regrets and is self-reflecting on the fact that he hurt various people in middle school with his rough and unsuitable words.”(BBC)
