Why Did Woojin Left K-Pop Band Stray Kids?

Kim Woojin, also known as Woojin, was formerly a member of the renowned South Korean boy group, Stray Kids. Within the group, he held the position of the main vocalist. Initially, Stray Kids consisted of nine talented individuals including Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, I.N., Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, and Kim Woojin. Stray Kids has gained significant popularity not only in Korea but also in Western countries such as the USA and Britain. Their music is characterized by a captivating blend of pop, hip hop, and electronica. The group was brought together through a television show bearing the same name.

Why did Woojin leave Stray Kids?

Stray Kids member Woojin shocked fans when he left the group in 2019. His departure even caused a delay in the release of their album Clé: Levanter, which was originally scheduled for November 2, 2019, but was pushed back to December 9, 2019. JYP Entertainment, the label representing Stray Kids, issued an official statement explaining Woojin’s sudden departure, citing personal reasons. Despite feeling saddened by his departure, the remaining members of the group offered their support and encouraged him to pursue his own path. JYP Entertainment also expressed their warm wishes and blessings for Woojin’s future, as well as the future endeavors of the remaining eight members.

During 2019, several notable K-pop idols, like Hall from The Boyz and B. I from iKON, departed from their respective groups.

Plans of Woojin going Solo

Despite the official statement citing “personal reasons,” the actual reason remained unclear. Speculation arose among fans that he might pursue a solo career. Although disheartened by the incident, his fans remained incredibly supportive of him.

After a few months of keeping a low profile, Woojin made a comeback in January 2020, armed with new plans and valuable insights. He revealed that he had taken a few trips during his time away, but expressed his longing for the diligent pursuit of personal growth and the thrill of performing on stage.

After the event, Woojin took the initiative to create an Instagram account and launch a Youtube channel. To promote his brand, he even introduced his own merchandise. In April 2020, while honing his skills, he meticulously planned a solo fan meeting on a small scale. What’s more, he decided to donate a portion of the profits from the event. In 2020, Woojin also joined forces with a company. Due to travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19, he even contemplated filming fan meetings specifically for his international fans.

Woojin, following his departure from Stray Kids, openly acknowledged experiencing fear and anxiety. He came to the realization that he is now on his own, and with newfound freedom comes a heightened sense of responsibility. This increased weight on his shoulders caused him further distress as he became more cautious with his actions. Despite this, he managed to avoid feeling overwhelmed due to the unwavering support of his fans. Woojin diligently continued sharing posts, traveling, and engaging with fans through music equipment, ensuring a strong connection remained intact.

Up until this point, everyone had been incredibly supportive of his decision. However, a single incident occurred that caused Woojin to be despised by millions of people!

Sexual Assault Allegation on Kim Woojin

On Twitter, a user shared an incident where she and her friend visited a pub in Korea and were allegedly sexually assaulted by a well-known K-pop idol. Although the post did not explicitly name Woojin, a photo was unveiled, prompting speculation that he was the perpetrator. Based on the Twitter thread, it was reported that the girls faced repeated coercion despite their resistance.

After the initial allegation, numerous others followed suit, including one from his former girlfriend, claiming that he had impregnated a woman. Additionally, the 23-year-old was accused of causing discomfort among his fellow members.

There were even claims that he operated a fan-site solely dedicated to insulting other K-pop groups like BTS and EXO, as shared by someone.

Fans resorting to burning and damaging merchandise

The fans were enraged by this, prompting them to set fire to their merchandise and posters. Even those who were once loyal fans now regretted their support. Many took to Instagram to express their anger, either by painting the photocards black, burning them, or even tearing apart the posters. It was a heartbreaking sight for the fans, who had invested their hard-earned money in these costly K-pop albums and merchandise. The intensity of their hatred towards the situation can be understood considering the financial sacrifice they had made.

Despite Woojin’s departure from Stray Kids, the group found themselves entangled in the controversy. Their collective values and the morals of each member were scrutinized, causing the news to spread rapidly across the internet.

Woojin’s post on Instagram in response to the accusations

Woojin addressed the issue on his Instagram account, stating that he and his label are taking necessary steps to address the situation. He explained that legal action will be taken against those spreading baseless rumors. Woojin clarified that he has never been to the mentioned places during the stated time period, as he was focused on creating music for his solo comeback with his new label. He reassured fans that the accusations are being investigated and encouraged them not to worry. Additionally, the credibility of the source was diminished when the user deleted their unknown account shortly after.

Nevertheless, with the rapid spread of such news, speculations and assumptions about the true cause of Woojin’s unexpected departure began to emerge. Among these speculations was the notion that he may have been dismissed from the group due to inappropriate conduct. However, it is important to note that these conjectures lacked evidence until…

Bang Chan’s Vlive message

One day, Bang Chan appeared on Vlive and addressed a series of issues. He expressed his concern about someone who had made numerous mistakes, causing others to endure the consequences. He emphasized that when someone makes a promise, it is crucial for them to fulfill it, as it is their responsibility. Bang Chan pointed out that STAYS, the devoted fandom of stray kids, understood exactly what he meant. Concluding his speech, he stressed the importance of keeping promises and suggested that those who fail to do so might be perceived as selfish. Unfortunately, the live broadcast was abruptly halted by the staff members following his mention of mistakes and betrayal.

The meaning behind it left fans puzzled, with speculations linking it to Woojin. Certain fans perceived Woojin as self-centered, attributing his expulsion to a lack of accountability.

Consequently, due to the overwhelming amount of conflicting information, it becomes difficult to ascertain the true reason behind Woojin’s departure from Stray Kids. Initially, all members of JYP Entertainment expressed their support for Woojin’s solo endeavors, only to be followed by a series of reports regarding alleged sexual assaults. However, the situation became even more complex when Bang Chan unexpectedly addressed the matter during a live session.

The fan base has become divided, with some fans standing by Woojin and others turning against him. As a result, it has become increasingly challenging to discern the true underlying reason. One may claim to know their idol intimately due to the constant surveillance, but truly comprehending an individual is intricate, let alone making assumptions about their truth. Forming judgments about a person based on a few video clips from unfamiliar sources, while observing from the comfort of a TV screen, is a simple task.

It can be challenging to comprehend the true cause of Woojin’s departure from Stray Kids due to the perplexing chain of events. Therefore, it is advisable to rely on the official statements issued by JYP for a clearer understanding.

Woojin and Stray Kids now

At the moment, Woojin is dedicatedly engrossed in working on his music, while eagerly anticipating his upcoming birthday. Frequently, he goes live to engage with his beloved fans, showcasing his vibrant presence. Additionally, he remains highly involved in his social media platforms, diligently keeping his fans informed about his current activities and whereabouts.

Stray Kids, who recently made a comeback, have been receiving immense popularity. Their latest hits, “God’s Menu” and “Back Door,” have been dominating the charts. Notably, “God’s Menu” became the first song by the group to surpass 100 million views on Youtube. With a strong dedication to their fans, they continue to produce captivating content and music.

It is evident that despite the challenges and obstacles, individuals have persevered in carrying on with their lives. Despite the fact that the incidents resulted in a loss of numerous fans, Woojin and Stray Kids now receive immense support from their dedicated fans. They are determined to create new music and performances, with Woojin pursuing a solo career while Stray Kids continues as a group.