Kim Hee-chul, NCT's Johnny and Haechan are angry at SM over prostitution and drug rumors

SM Entertainment (hereinafter referred to as SM) dismissed rumors related to its singers, NCT members Johnny and Haechan, and Super Junior member Kim Hee-chul. In addition, strong legal action was also suggested.

On June 4, SM said through the official fan communication platform Gwangya, "Rumors containing unspeakable provocative content, such as Johnny and Haechan's prostitution and drugs, are being indiscriminately spread and reproduced online. As a result of verification, this is not true at all." “No, this is a criminal act that seriously damages the artist’s reputation,” the company announced in an official statement.

SM said, "In relation to this, the creation of untrue rumors and malicious slander continues towards NCT and its artists such as Kim Hee-chul. We have already collected sufficient data on a number of posts related to the content and are stopping such criminal acts. “We will not sit idly by and will ensure that the relevant actors are punished legally, regardless of nationality, without leniency or agreement,” he explained.

We plan to continue monitoring those who spread rumors even after the official statement is announced. SM emphasized, "Please be aware that even at this moment, any act of posting malicious posts may be subject to punishment."

Previously, on the 4th, rumors abounded on the Internet that Johnny and Haechan were currently drinking and having fun with prostitutes in Japan, and even dabbled in prostitution and drugs. Kim Hee-chul was also mentioned here, causing a big stir.

In addition, although the causal relationship has not been confirmed, SM Entertainment's stock price on this day plummeted 8.18% (7,300 won) compared to the previous day, recording the largest drop this year. The stock price, which had been trending upward, plummeted from 2:50, 40 minutes before the market closed, ultimately falling more than 8%. The net selling amount by foreigners and institutions alone amounts to 6 billion won and 5 billion won, respectively.

Accordingly, Kim Hee-chul announced his position through the fan communication platform Bubble on the evening of the 4th, before SM's official statement was announced. In response to a fan's question, "What on earth is Heechul doing in Japan?" he responded, "I'm still watching it. I'm afraid they'll cause trouble on Instagram again, so I'm just talking to the company."

At the same time, Kim Hee-chul strongly criticized the rumor by adding, "I'm afraid I'll just say it briefly here because I'm worried and disappointed. I've never seen or met any of my company's juniors outside, eating or drinking separately. I don't even have contact information."

Below is SM Entertainment’s official position in full.

hello. This is SM Entertainment.

Currently, provocative rumors that are difficult to talk about, such as Johnny and Haechan's prostitution, drugs, etc., are being indiscriminately spread and reproduced online. We have confirmed that this is not true at all, and that this is a criminal act that seriously damages the artist's reputation.

In addition, in relation to this, the creation of untrue rumors and malicious slander continues towards NCT and its artists, including Kim Hee-chul.

We have already collected sufficient data on a number of posts related to the content in question, and we plan to not sit idly by and ensure that the relevant actors are legally punished without leniency or agreement, regardless of nationality.

Please be aware that even at this moment, any act of posting malicious posts may be subject to punishment.

thank you

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr