In a development that has sent shockwaves across the K-pop industry, JYP Entertainment officially announced the permanent departure of Gun-il from the boy band Xdinary Heroes.
On August 13, 2026, the agency released an official statement confirming that the group’s leader and drummer has officially ended his exclusive contract and withdrawn from the band.
The abrupt decision came in the immediate wake of growing online controversy surrounding serious personal allegations and leaked comments attributed to the musician.
The announcement has left the band’s global fanbase, known as Villains, grappling with the sudden restructuring of the group, while the agency prepares to navigate a new chapter with the remaining members.
The fallout began after an individual, identified publicly as “A,” posted detailed claims on an online community platform alleging that she was previously in a romantic relationship with Gun-il.
Accompanying these personal claims were various allegations regarding inappropriate statements he allegedly made, which reportedly included derogatory comments directed at fans.
Given the severe nature of the allegations and the swift backlash across social media platforms, the situation rapidly escalated, prompting immediate attention and formal intervention from JYP Entertainment.
The agency swiftly reviewed the matter internally alongside the artist before coming to a final decision to dissolve his relationship with both the group and the label.
Official Statement and Contract Termination Details
To address the growing concerns and clarify the artist’s future, JYP Entertainment released a formal public notice detailing the sequence of events and the mutual decision reached between management and the performer.
In their official statement released across official social channels, the agency opened by acknowledging the continuous loyalty of their supporters, writing:
“Hello, this is JYP Entertainment.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to fans who have always cherished and supported Xdinary Heroes, and we are here to provide an update regarding the future activities of member Gun-il.”
Addressing the heart of the matter and the severity with which management viewed the allegations, the company expressed the steps taken following the online posts.
The agency stated:
“Regarding the recent issues concerning member Gun-il, our agency has deeply recognized the gravity of the situation and has engaged in thorough, multi-faceted discussions with the artist.
As a result, we have determined that it is no longer possible for him to continue group activities, and we have mutually agreed to terminate his exclusive contract.”
By outlining that multi-faceted discussions led directly to a mutual agreement, JYP Entertainment underscored the impossibility of maintaining normal team operations under the circumstances.
The statement finalized the decision by confirming:
“Therefore, we inform you that as of today, Gun-il has withdrawn from Xdinary Heroes and will conclude his activities with the group.
We sincerely apologize for causing concern to fans with this sudden news.”
Transition to a Five-Member Group Structure
The termination of Gun-il’s exclusive contract marks a critical turning point for Xdinary Heroes, who debuted under JYP Entertainment’s sub-label Studio J as a six-member rock band.
With their leader and primary drummer departing effective immediately, the group must now reorganize its dynamic and stage setup to accommodate a quintet format.
The sudden departure has already led to immediate schedule disruptions, including changes to major festival appearances and promotional events that were previously arranged for the late summer and autumn seasons.
Despite the abrupt lineup shift, JYP Entertainment emphasized its firm commitment to supporting the remaining members- Jooyeon, Jungsu, Gaon, Jun Han, and O.de- as they step forward as a five-piece band.
Reassuring fans about the future continuity of Xdinary Heroes’ musical output, the agency concluded their announcement by stating:
“Moving forward, Xdinary Heroes will continue their activities as a five-member group.
Our agency will continue to provide our full, unsparing support in every way to ensure that the members can focus on their music activities in a stable environment. Thank you.”
As the remaining members process the transition, JYP Entertainment aims to provide the necessary resources and stability to help the band maintain its artistic trajectory and rebuild momentum in their upcoming endeavors.
