TEMPEST’s agency has officially declared that Hwarang will be taking a temporary hiatus. In February, Yuehua Entertainment addressed rumors surrounding TEMPEST member Hwarang in a statement.
On March 6, the agency announced his hiatus with the following statement:
“Hello, this is Yuehua Entertainment.
This is a notice regarding TEMPEST’s activities henceforth.
We held thorough discussions with Hwarang regarding his activities going forward following the issues regarding his personal life that were revealed via social media.
In this process, Hwarang was unable to restore trust, and with this situation, we made the judgment that it would be difficult to carry on activities as a full group.
After much deliberation, we decided to halt member Hwarang’s activities tentatively.
As a result, the activities for TEMPEST’s fifth mini album “TEMPEST Voyage” will be carried out with six members excluding Hwarang. We ask for consideration in advance that footage filmed and produced beforehand will include Hwarang, and we once again apologize for causing concern to fans with the sudden news.
We ask that everyone refrain from groundless speculation and imprudent criticism, and please show warm support and encouragement for the TEMPEST members who will soon begin activities for “TEMPEST Voyage.”
We will put in our full effort to support TEMPEST.
Thank you.”
Hwarang, formerly known as Song Jae Won, debuted as a contestant on the survival show Under Nineteen on October 25, 2018, assigned to the performance team. However, he was eliminated in episode 12, securing the 11th position within the performance team and 32nd overall.
Hwarang initially debuted as a member of the pre-debut group DSP N under DSP Media but departed from the group around 2020.
On January 3, 2022, Hwarang was introduced as the third member of TEMPEST through their official Twitter profile. Subsequently, TEMPEST made its debut on March 2, 2022, with the mini album “It’s Me, It’s We.”
