Former Xdinary Heroes leader and drummer, Gunil, has directly addressed the controversy surrounding leaked audio where he made profane remarks about fans. In a candid and lengthy message posted on a fan communication platform on August 13, Gunil confirmed his departure from the group and offered a heartfelt apology, while also shedding light on the immense emotional pressure he had been under.
Gunil’s Farewell and Apology
Opening his 3,383-character message with a poignant “This will probably be my final farewell as a member of Xdinary Heroes,” Gunil expressed his deep regret. He admitted, “I am the person who made the inappropriate remarks about fans in the phone recording that was made public to Villains.” He acknowledged that regardless of the context, his words were wrong. “Regardless of the reason, the fact that I said those things does not change. I sincerely apologize to everyone who may have been disappointed or hurt.” He also shared his initial desire to stay with the group, saying, “I truly wanted to remain Xdinary Heroes until the very end, and I wanted to protect the six-member Xdinary Heroes. But, as you know, I had no choice but to accept the company’s decision.”
The Underlying Struggle: Sasaengs and Emotional Turmoil
Gunil then delved into the circumstances that led to his emotional outburst. He explained that he had been struggling significantly after experiencing incidents earlier this year involving sasaeng fans. These incidents included alleged break-ins at the group’s accommodation and the distressing discovery of a tracking device placed on his personal vehicle. Compounding his distress were what he described as malicious reactions to a concert held in June.
Feeling unable to burden his company staff or fellow members, Gunil revealed, “I didn’t want to worry the company staff or the members, so I couldn’t easily open up about my feelings.” He eventually confided in someone he had recently met through an acquaintance – a relationship he clarified lasted approximately two weeks. During this vulnerable moment, he admitted, “I used extremely harsh and inappropriate expressions without hesitation.” He clarified that these remarks were specifically directed at “certain malicious fans who hid behind anonymity to criticize the group or invade their privacy indiscriminately,” emphatically stating, “It was absolutely not directed at all Villains (Xdinary Heroes’ fandom) who trusted and supported us.” He added his shock that the private conversation was recorded and made public, but reiterated, “However, regardless of whether it was made public, I clearly understand that the fact that I said those things was wrong.”
JYP Entertainment Confirms Departure
Earlier on the same day, JYP Entertainment released an official statement announcing Gunil’s contract termination. The agency stated, “Regarding the recent matter involving member Gunil, we are deeply aware of the seriousness of the situation and have held extensive discussions with the artist from various angles.” They concluded, “As a result, we determined that it would be difficult for him to continue participating in team activities, and we have decided to terminate his exclusive contract by mutual agreement.”
A New Chapter for Xdinary Heroes
Despite his departure, Gunil urged fans to continue their support for the remaining five members of Xdinary Heroes. He shared a poignant farewell, expressing his gratitude: “Although I am now leaving Xdinary Heroes, I will never forget the love and support you gave me as a person named Gunil Gu.” He concluded by emphasizing his dedication to the group and its fandom, “I poured everything I had into Xdinary Heroes and Villains. I truly loved and cherished it all. Thank you for sharing my youth with me.” Xdinary Heroes will proceed as a five-member group following this significant change.
Gunil’s Full Message to Fans
“Hello, Villains. This is Gunil Gu.
This will probably be my final farewell as a member of Xdinary Heroes.
I truly wanted to remain Xdinary Heroes until the very end, and I wanted to protect the six-member Xdinary Heroes. But, as you know, I had no choice but to accept the company’s decision.
Even now, I still don’t feel like this is real.
There is so much I want to say to Villains. I still don’t know where or how to begin.
But now that I am no longer a member of Xdinary Heroes, I don’t want to hide the truth or make excuses with lies for my own sake. I believe there are things I need to tell you myself, which is why I am writing this.
First, the person who wrote the post that started this whole situation was someone I met through an acquaintance and dated for about two weeks.
At the time, I was emotionally exhausted because of the malicious comments I had been receiving, false stories being spread about me, and the many concerns I had about Xdinary Heroes’ music and performances. Rather than burdening people close to me with my worries and opening up to them, I was at a point where it felt easier to vent my frustrations to a stranger who didn’t know me well.
I am the person who made the inappropriate remarks about fans in the phone recording that was made public to Villains.
Regardless of the reason, the fact that I said those things does not change. I sincerely apologize to everyone who was disappointed or hurt by me.
However, I want to honestly explain the circumstances and emotions I was experiencing at the time, as well as who those words were directed toward.
Earlier this year, there was an incident in which sasaeng fans broke into our accommodation. They even placed a tracking device on my personal vehicle and followed me. After experiencing those things, I developed a great deal of fear and resentment toward certain malicious fans, and I went through a very difficult time emotionally.
But I was also the leader and one of the older members, so I couldn’t easily talk about my fears or anxiety. I tried my best to manage my emotions on my own.
Then, in June, the members and I prepared for our concert at Inspire Arena with the goal of giving Villains the best performance possible. We worked incredibly hard, and after finishing the first day of the concert, I checked social media with excitement.
Of course, no performance can be perfect, and I believe we need to acknowledge our shortcomings and continue improving. But that day, I saw many malicious posts that went far beyond opinions or criticism of the performance and were difficult for us to understand.
Because it was a performance we had prepared for with all our hearts, I think I was emotionally devastated after seeing the unexpected criticism and malicious comments.
Even so, I didn’t want to worry the company staff or the members, so I couldn’t easily open up about my feelings. Eventually, I confided in someone I had only recently met about the emotions I had been holding in, and in the process, I used extremely harsh and inappropriate expressions without hesitation.
I never thought that conversation would be recorded and made public. However, regardless of whether it was made public, I clearly understand that the fact that I said those things was wrong.
There is one thing I want to make absolutely clear.
The people I was referring to emotionally at the time were certain malicious fans who hid behind anonymity to indiscriminately criticize us or invade our privacy. I was absolutely not talking about all Villains who trusted and supported us.
I have always tried to show myself as a sincere and dependable leader, so I believe the disappointment and sense of betrayal you felt because of this incident must have been even greater. I am truly sorry for that.
Before and after the June Inspire concert, I was going through a difficult period emotionally for various reasons. I met that person around the same time, and it is true that I relied on them to some extent emotionally at the time.
I also understand that this may sound like an excuse.
But I want to make one thing absolutely clear: I did not say those things about the Villains I truly loved and trusted.
It would also be a lie to say that I never had any frustrations with the members, whom I lived with every day and with whom I shared so much of my work and personal life. But I can say without a shred of shame that I genuinely cared for and loved the members throughout my time with Xdinary Heroes, and that I was always grateful for the love Villains gave us.
The members were always people I was proud of, and Villains were always people I was grateful for.
Now, I no longer have a way to prove that, nor do I have another opportunity to rebuild the trust that has been broken. Still, I wanted to say one last time that my feelings toward the fans and the members were always sincere.
I believe the fans who have been with me for a long time, the staff and employees I worked with, the members I love, and my close friends and acquaintances know best how sincerely I loved the fans and members.
Finally, I want to sincerely apologize to my fans, who were hurt the most by this situation.
It hurts me the most knowing that all the countless hours and emotions you gave in support of me, as well as the moments when you trusted me, may now feel wasted and meaningless.
In the end, I left a wound that cannot easily be erased, just as much as you loved me. It is incredibly painful knowing that the people I love and care about are suffering because of me.
Even now, none of this feels real, and I feel as though I am living through a nightmare. I can hardly imagine how much more difficult this must be for the fans.
I am truly sorry.
I know that saying I’m sorry cannot fully express the pain I caused, nor can it undo what happened.
Fan sign events, fan meetings, concerts, overseas tours, and festivals.
I keep remembering all the countless moments I shared with Villains.
Thank you sincerely for giving me so much love and so many memories throughout all those years. I will never forget the love you gave me or the memories we created together.
Thank you sincerely for loving and supporting someone as imperfect as me.
Although I was unable to give you a beautiful ending, thanks to Villains, I am leaving with so many happy moments in my life that I will never forget.
Although I am now leaving Xdinary Heroes, I will never forget the love and support you gave me as a person named Gunil Gu.
And wherever I am in the future, I will also always support your lives from afar.
Please continue to give our Xdinary Heroes lots and lots of love and support.
All five members are wonderful, amazing, and lovable younger brothers to me, without exception.
Although I will no longer be able to fulfill the dream of performing at Wembley with them, I will now support and cheer them on from one step behind so that they can one day achieve that dream.
I poured everything I had into Xdinary Heroes and Villains. I truly loved and cherished it all.
Thank you for sharing my youth with me.
This was Gunil Gu. Thank you.”
