Kim Geon-woo, a member of ALPHA DRIVE ONE, who will suspend activities for the time being. Courtesy of WAKEONE

Kim Geon-woo, a member of ALPHA DRIVE ONE, will temporarily halt activities.

On the 8th, WAKEONE, the agency of ALPHA DRIVE ONE, stated, “Kim Geon-woo is deeply reflecting on this matter,” and added, “After discussions with us, Kim Geon-woo has decided to take time for self-reflection.”

It continued, “Accordingly, Kim Geon-woo will not participate in the activities and fan concert currently being prepared,” and, “For the time being, ALPHA DRIVE ONE plans to operate as a seven-member lineup without Kim Geon-woo.”

The agency also issued an explanation regarding the issue surrounding Kim Geon-woo. WAKEONE said, “The remarks by Kim Geon-woo raised online occurred at a pre-debut content shoot, where he expressed dissatisfaction in the form of a mutter without realizing the microphone was on,” adding, “It was by no means criticism or a personal attack directed at any specific individual.”

It added, “He conveyed an apology to the production staff immediately after the incident, and the matter was amicably concluded through mutual communication,” and, “Apart from this matter, the various allegations currently being raised online are not true.”

Kim Geon-woo is expected to suspend activities for the time being. However, broadcasts and content filmed before the suspension are expected to be released as scheduled.

WAKEONE said, “We feel a heavy sense of responsibility for failing to manage matters so that the artist could meet the basic attitudes and standards required,” and, “We will closely review our internal and external communication practices and artist management system and strengthen training to prevent similar cases from recurring.”

■ Full text of WAKEONE statement below

Hello. This is WAKEONE.

First, we deeply apologize to the fans who cherish and support ALPHA DRIVE ONE for the delay in issuing our position.

Our company must support our artists so that they can focus on their activities in a stable environment and manage them so that they meet the basic attitudes and standards required of an artist. However, we feel a heavy sense of responsibility for not fully carrying this out.

We will explain the facts regarding the remarks by Kim Geon-woo that have been raised online. The matter occurred at a pre-debut content filming site. At the time, without realizing that the microphone was on, Kim Geon-woo expressed dissatisfaction using inappropriate wording. The remarks were not criticism or a personal attack directed at any specific individual and came out in the form of talking to himself. However, they were inappropriate under any circumstances. We once again deeply apologize to the on-site staff who may have felt uncomfortable because of this. We also sincerely apologize for causing concern to the fans.

Immediately after the incident, he conveyed an apology to the production staff, and we judged it to be a matter concluded through mutual communication. We did not release a separate statement, considering that doing so could impose additional burdens or inconvenience on the production staff. However, afterward, various allegations inconsistent with the facts were raised online, and the process of verifying the veracity of each point became prolonged, delaying this statement. Apart from this matter, the various allegations currently being raised online are not true. We ask that indiscriminate dissemination of unverified claims be refrained from. Even so, our failure to explain promptly was clearly our lapse in judgment.

Kim Geon-woo is deeply reflecting on this incident. After discussions with us, he has decided to take time for self-reflection. Accordingly, he will not participate in the activities and fan concert currently being prepared. For the time being, ALPHA DRIVE ONE will operate as a seven-member team without Kim Geon-woo. We ask for your understanding that broadcasts and some content filmed and produced before the suspension may be released according to the scheduled timeline.

We are reviewing our overall internal and external communication methods and also reassessing our artist management system. We will closely examine the areas in which we were lacking to supplement the relevant standards and management system, and we will refine our response processes so that guidance can be provided more swiftly and responsibly in the future. In addition, we will continue to strengthen education and support for our artists to prevent similar cases from recurring.

ALPHA DRIVE ONE is a team moving toward one dream. As the agency, we will work harder to ensure that all members can carry out their activities in a stable environment. We ask for your warm support and interest.