K-pop girl group IHOTEU has officially disbanded just seven months after their debut. The three-member group, managed by EFG Music under JDB Entertainment, terminated all contracts following a scandal involving CEO Lee Kang Hee and member Mina.
The controversy erupted when TenAsia reported that Lee Kang Hee, a married father of two, was having an extramarital affair with a female idol under his company. Photos of the CEO and Mina getting intimate in public began circulating on social media platforms.
Multiple sources confirmed the pair were frequently spotted alone after work events, holding hands and leaving together in Lee’s luxury car. A JDB staff member confirmed that Lee admitted to the inappropriate relationship and has stepped down from his position.
CEO Affair Triggers Complete Group Disbandment and Agency Shutdown
IHOTEU held their debut live performance on 26 May 2024 and released their first digital single The First Wave on 10 Jun 2024 under the concept “Voyage to Unknown.” The group initially showed promise as EFG Music’s first idol act, representing a creative expansion for JDB Entertainment.
When the scandal first broke, EFG Music announced that only Mina would leave the group, with members Negi and Amu continuing activities. However, the agency made a sudden reversal, terminating all three contracts overnight.
JDB Entertainment released a statement saying: “After deep consideration of each member’s artistic direction and emotional safety, we’ve mutually decided to terminate all contracts. Mina graduated through internal discussions and has since deactivated her official activity accounts.”
The statement emphasized that further negotiations with her would be unlikely.
Lee Kang Hee, who regularly appears on MBC’s Point of Omniscient Interfere variety show, declined to comment on the situation. Mina has deactivated all her social media accounts following the scandal.
Entertainment Label Suspends Operations Amid Ongoing Fallout
Following the disbandment, EFG Music cancelled all upcoming events, album perks, and live shows related to IHOTEU’s activities. The agency stated they were “responding to stalking crimes” with “no leniency or settlement.”
In a 17 Jun statement, the agency announced: “All of IHOTEU’s scheduled activities have been permanently cancelled. The company will temporarily suspend operations while determining its organisational future through internal audits and legal guidance.”
The agency began processing refunds for fans through the Naver system, requesting them to return physical albums along with their details. All EFG Music shows have been suspended indefinitely.
JDB Entertainment, which manages well-known comedians Kim Jun Ho and Kim Dae Hee, now faces an uncertain future.
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