Police have launched an investigation into one Japanese K-pop trainee who suddenly disappeared just before his idol group’s highly anticipated debut.
According to law enforcement on the 3rd, the Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station recently received a complaint from the idol group’s talent agency. They have since booked Japanese national trainee A on fraud charges and issued a travel ban against him.
Mr. A, who was slated to be a member of a six-member boy group, abruptly ceased all contact and went missing in December of last year, approximately two months before their scheduled debut. Consequently, the group ultimately debuted as a five-member act in February, without Mr. A.
The agency claims to have incurred damages of approximately 57.43 million KRW (Korean Won) over about four months due to Mr. A’s sudden disappearance. This substantial amount covers combined training costs and various debut preparation expenses invested in the trainee.
Furthermore, it has been revealed that Mr. A was in a “double contract” situation, having allegedly signed an agreement with another entertainment agency while still preparing for his debut with the current company.
Police currently believe that Mr. A remains within South Korea and are actively tracking his whereabouts.
