FTISLAND’s Minhwan defends against prostitution suspicion, claims he wanted to be alone & had no need for condoms due to vasectomy

FTISLAND member Choi Minhwan took to Weverse to address fans following Yulhee (ex-LABOUM) outing him for allegedly cheating on her during their marriage by visiting prostitutes. In it, he claims that he booked time at the places mentioned because he wanted to be alone.

I want to say a personal word to PRIs, whom I love more than anything in this world. I often feel that when I belong to a company, and when I belong to a group, there’s many things I have to protect rather than my own stance. I’ve never participated in prostitution unlike what has been in the news, and I don’t know how I can prove that the case was ruled as innocent not simply because there was not enough evidence, but because I didn’t do it… That’s why I was even more speechless.
As for the hotels and motels mentioned in the voice recordings, I had gone because I wanted some alone time. I know that it’s not easy for you to believe me, even if I ask you to. I wish there was sure evidence… I’m sorry that there isn’t. There’s also no way for me to say or explain anything… I just hope that you know it isn’t true. And I have no plans on running or hiding. I’m really sorry.

Skeptical fans understandably queried him about his own words in the voice messages, asking why he would need two of things and what not. He … uh, tried to clarify.

Fan: “You said that you went to the hotel because you wanted to be alone. So why did you ask for two of X and two of Y to be prepared? Did you not know how to book the hotel by yourself too? Do you not have booking apps? And you said you didn’t do prostitution, but why is it that you can’t seem to say that you’ve never been to adult establishments?”
Minhwan: “I don’t know what X and Y are, but wouldn’t that be toothbrushes and hangover drinks? I don’t know if I can say this, but I’ve had a vasectomy for years so I don’t need a condom, and as for the toothbrush, it’s so common for hygiene. Why are you curious about it?”

Okay, so that confirms the recording is legit, for anybody who had doubts about that. He doesn’t explain why he mentioned girls in the recording nor the “shirt room” (women change into shirts in front of customers). He also claims to not know what X and Y are yet addresses the speculation that it could be condoms anyway. Amusingly that also outs him for thinking he wouldn’t need to use condoms with prostitutes just cause pregnancy isn’t a concern, which … come on, man.

It is true that he was legally cleared about three weeks ago of prostitution solicitation and sexual assault.

On November 29, the Seoul Gangnam Police stated, “After reviewing the allegations against Choi Minhwan regarding violations of the Anti-Prostitution Act and charges of sexual assault, we have determined there is insufficient evidence to prove the crimes and have decided not to refer the case for prosecution.”

I’m not sure anybody believed they’d be able to prove things legally, and indeed “insufficient evidence” was cited. But as he has shown here, there’s still no real explanation that makes him look actually innocent here.