F.T. Island's Choi Minhwan has spoken out after being cleared of serious charges, including prostitution and forced molestation.

On November 29th, Choi Minhwan took to Instagram to address the controversy, starting with an apology to his fans: "Hello, this is Choi Minhwan. First, I sincerely apologize to my fans for causing concern."

He went on to explain the delay in his statement, saying, "After the police investigation cleared me of all charges, I wanted to wait until everything was properly looked into before sharing my side."

Choi Minhwan further revealed the difficulties he faced during the investigation, saying, "False information and distorted speculations spread as facts. I didn’t want to make a statement too early without proper conclusions, as it could make things worse. I wanted to handle it well, especially for the sake of my three children."

He apologized for the emotional pain caused to his fans and members of FT Island, stating, "I’m truly sorry for causing you all difficult times. I deeply regret this and am reflecting on my actions."

Ending his message, Choi Minhwan promised to improve, saying, "From now on, I will work harder to show a more responsible and mature side. Thank you to everyone who has supported me."

Choi Minhwan and Yulhee, who were married in 2018, recently went through a divorce. Yulhee has since appeared on TV Chosun's I’m Now Alone, while Choi Minhwan has been on KBS2’s The Return of Superman with their children.

The controversy began when Yulhee released a phone recording in October, suggesting Choi Minhwan’s involvement with a prostitution ring. This led to an investigation by the Gangnam Police, who on November 29th cleared Choi Minhwan of the charges, citing insufficient evidence.

In addition, Yulhee has filed for mediation regarding parental and custody changes, along with claims for alimony and property division.

Source: [1]

Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin’s When the Phone Rings has issued an apology for the recent controversy surrounding the mockery of sign language.

On November 29th, the drama’s production team released a statement on the viewer’s board addressing the issue. The statement began by saying, “We take the criticism about the improper handling of sign language very seriously, especially as it led to the mockery of the Deaf community and Korean sign language.”

They went on to clarify, “The drama’s theme centers around ‘communication’ between people, and there was absolutely no intention to mock or belittle sign language, which is a vital communication tool for the Deaf community.”

However, the production team admitted, “We humbly acknowledge that we did not give enough attention to the struggles of the Deaf community and the importance of Korean sign language. We will ensure that such mistakes do not happen again in the future.”

The statement also highlighted the role of sign language in the drama, saying, “Sign language plays a crucial part in the relationship between the two main characters as they learn to communicate with each other. Through their journey, we want to show the true value of sign language as an important tool that connects people.”

The production team concluded by asking for viewers' continued support, saying, “We hope you will keep watching the drama and point out any shortcomings you notice.”

Earlier, in the first episode of When the Phone Rings, which aired on November 22nd, a mistake occurred when sign language interpreter Hong Hee Joo (played by Chae Soo Bin) mistakenly used the sign for "mountain" while trying to interpret "landslide" due to a broadcast error.

This led to the sign being misunderstood as a finger gesture commonly seen as offensive, sparking backlash.

After the episode aired, a viewer posted a complaint on the viewer’s board, asking for an apology for mocking sign language.

The viewer explained that the sign for "mountain" is different from the offensive gesture and that using it in this context was hurtful to the Deaf community, as it has been used as a joke by hearing people.

The post described this as an act of discrimination and mockery, calling for a more respectful approach.

Source: [1]