Lee Hongki Hints At Recent Controversies While Performing As Two-Person FTISLAND

The troubled drummer was replaced by a session musician.

When his bandmate Choi Minhwan was hit with ex-wife Yulhee‘s YouTube video that exposed Choi’s alleged prostitution, FTISLAND‘s Lee Hongki chose to stick up for Choi—despite the fierce backlash from K-Pop fans.

Yulhee Exposes Ex-Husband Minhwan For Going To Brothels During Their Marriage With Damning Recorded Phone Calls

In multiple Weverse messages, Lee Hongki defended Choi Minhwan and showed support for the troubled drummer, though it was decided that Choi Minhwan would halt all activities, including the performances scheduled as FTISLAND.

FTISLAND’s Lee Hongki | @skullhong12/Instagram

As of November 2, 2024 (KST), FTISLAND performed at the “2024 Grand Mint Festival” in Seoul as a two-person band, with a session drummer stepping in for Choi Minhwan.

FTISLAND To Replace Choi Minhwan For Upcoming Performance Amid Prostitution Scandal

On the GMF stage, Lee Hongki seemed to address the ongoing controversies involving Choi Minhwan and himself. While he did not make direct statements, the message is assumed to be in relation to the backlash, given the context.

Lee Hongki’s comment as captured in his Instagram Stories | @skullhong12/Instagram

I was f*cking depressed… I thought the world was out to f*cking get me for no reason. But whatever, I’m just going to keep making music until the day I die.

— Lee Hongki

Unsurprisingly, Lee Hongki’s comment has been received with deep divide among trusting FTISLAND fans and skeptical netizens.

| @skullhong12/Instagram

• “Oppa, we felt so content and healed, thanks to you. We’re worried about your voice. Not sure if it’s because you cried a lot or if you got sick, or if something was off with the mic. But we all had a really rough week, so it was extra good to see you. Good work today!”
• “Hearing you say that, I felt… Sigh. I felt so grateful. Thank you for telling us that. It’s true, you should keep singing! Please keep blessing us with that irreplaceable voice of yours. I will always and forever be a Primadonna and your friend. Let’s keep rocking out, FT! My besties! I love you.”
• “Oppa, we may fight and laugh/cry through it all. But know that we’re always on your side! You made us so happy today. Have a safe trip home!”

| theqoo

• “…? Who is still buying his nonsense? This is shocking.”
• “He’s getting worse and worse.”
• “Um… What’s wrong with him? Why address it at a music festival? It’s not like the whole audience is his fandom.”
• “Hm?”
• “Hongki’s still acting tough, huh? He needs to grow up and act his age.”

As for Choi Minhwan, following the official announcement of his hiatus, The Return of Superman deleted all clips featuring Choi Minhwan and his three children with Yulhee. No updates from either Yulhee or Choi Minhwan has been shared.

“The Return Of Superman” Deletes All Videos With FTISLAND’s Choi Minhwan