Gunil disputes JYP's claim that Xdinary Heroes exit was mutual
The group's former drummer, who became embroiled in controversy over a leaked recording, said he never agreed to leave the band nor terminate his contract with JYP Entertainment.
Gunil, a former member of boy band Xdinary Heroes, is seen in this concept photo for the band's fan meet and greet event.JYP ENTERTAINMENT
Former Xdinary Heroes member Gunil said he neither left the band voluntarily nor agreed to terminate his exclusive contract with JYP Entertainment, contradicting a prior statement by the agency.
“The artist did not voluntarily leave the band and has never agreed to the termination of his exclusive contract,” attorney Sung Jae-hwan of Joowon Law Firm, who represents Gunil, said in a statement Thursday.
JYP Entertainment announced Gunil's departure from the band and the agency on Aug. 13 upon “mutual agreement,” as it was deemed “difficult to continue group activities together.” The departure followed controversy over a leaked recording in which the drummer made inappropriate remarks during a private conversation.
Gunil acknowledged in the message that he made the remarks in the leaked recording and apologized on Friday. He said he was on a phone call with someone whom he had known for two weeks and needed a place to vent about the sasaeng — obsessive fans — who had constantly invaded his privacy.
“The artist's use of inappropriate language in a private setting was a lapse that cannot be justified for any reason,” the Joowon Law Firm statement said. “That said, at the time the artist was under considerable psychological strain from certain online posts and from acts of privacy intrusion that went beyond all bounds, and he came to use inappropriate language in the course of unburdening himself in a private phone call.”
Xdinary Heroes member Gunil is seen in this concept photo for the band's upcoming September fan meet and greet “The X-Town.”JYP ENTERTAINMENT
The lawyer rejected claims that Gunil routinely or repeatedly cursed or spoke badly about Xdinary Heroes fans, as well as allegations that he bad-mouthed fellow members or dated someone else while in a relationship.
“Having reviewed the records, this counsel finds that it is not true that the artist has habitually or repeatedly directed abuse or criticism at fans of the band. We also state clearly that it is not true that the artist has spoken ill of his fellow members, or that he saw someone else while in a relationship.”
The lawyer said that the online article that sparked this controversy includes a lot of false information, which had caused harm to the artist. And while legal actions are possible, Gunil chose not to do so.
“Even so, the artist wishes to forgive the person who posted it,” the lawyer said.
The lawyer also claimed that it was difficult to see grounds for terminating the exclusive contract against Gunil's will, and wished to continue to talk to the agency about the matter.
Gunil also apologized to his fans and his members in a statement.
"Whatever the circumstances may have been, the artist wishes to convey his sincere apologies for the disappointment and hurt felt by fans who have supported him for a long time," the statement from his lawyer said.
"[Gunil] is also sorry for the unintended burden this has placed on the members […] and he has personally conveyed his apologies to the members," the statement continued.
Xdinary Heroes debuted in December 2021 and is known for tracks such as “Happy Death Day” (2021), “Hello, World!” (2022), “Deadlock” (2023), “FiRE (My Sweet Misery)” (2025) and “X room.”
Now a five-member band, Xdinary Heroes consists of Jooyeon, Jungsu, Gaon, Jun Han and O.de.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
