K-Pop Idol Beaten-Up By His Own Group Members, Ending In Their Disbandment

While idols sometimes have disputes among themselves, it is rare that a group’s activities ending can be directly tied to them.

However, the stain left on one group’s career, along with a host of other issues, can be traced to it.

In 2014, PURE Entertainment debuted a new boy group following the disbandment of their previous one. This group, called PUREBOY, initially debuted in two sub-units, before their full debut as a nine membered group.

After the addition of member Seokyu, the group made their Japanese debut, after which a new subunit and more new members were announced. In August 2015, all of the group’s original members allegedly cut off contact with their agency and disappeared while they were still doing promotions for their latest release in Japan.

These members became a new group, called Naughty Boys.

In early 2016, PUREBOY’s agency filed an injunction against these members, resulting in two, Sangyun and Hayoung returning. The same year, members of Naughty Boy, Hwang (Jiho), Jeon (Sangmin)  and Yang (Jaewon), were sent to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment on charges of assaulting Seokyu on several occasions during their time in the group.

They were accused of beating him severely on two different occasions, punching him and stomping on his chest and stomach.

The three members involved in the assaults were investigated and prosecuted by Yongsan Police Station and eventually fined for an undisclosed amount for assault.

After, PUREBOY released only one more track, before their assumed disbandment in 2017. On the other hand, NAUGHTY BOYS were active as a group, later changing their name to NTB, from 2016 to 2021, with three members, including two involved in the assaults reforming the group as a trio in 2024.

Jiho, now known as LaVit, is active as a producer and livestreamer, with credits on tracks by EXO‘s Xiumin, WJSN and more.

Seokyu participated in Produce 101 Season 2, but was eliminated early on, and has seemingly retired from the industry with no updates since 2019.

While disagreements often occur, it is rare that they result in legal action being taken.