Back in 2015, during BEAST‘s 6th anniversary live broadcast, former member Jang Hyunseung self-ignited his “attitude scandal” when he barked back at a question asking “the most memorable moment from six years of being a part of BEAST.” He replied that it was when he received hate for sitting out a fansign event for personal reasons—and then reiterated that he deserves to keep his private life private.
The “V Live” that was held on BEAST’s 6th anniversary | Naver
Fans then began digging up past instances of Jang Hyunseung not singing his parts, not performing the dance moves correctly, or even acting uninterested during interviews and group activities. Shortly after, in February 2016, both he and CUBE Entertainment apologized for the issues, but Jang Hyunseung eventually left the group in April 2016.
That said, when Jang Hyunseung enlisted in 2018 and photos of the former boy group member-turned-soloist showed him in much better spirits, it became a running joke that the military had “exorcised the demon” and “cured” whatever had possessed him during his final days with BEAST.
Jang Hyunseung in the military | Insight Korea
Fast forward to 2026, and it seems Jang Hyunseung is fully aware of the joke. On MMTG channel’s Instagram Stories update, the beloved YouTube show host Jaejae teased Jang Hyunseung’s appearance…
| @mmtg_oops/Instagram
…asking the followers to ask him questions about his “pre-exorcism days,” so that he could address and explain/apologize for them on “The MMTG Show.”
“January 12 Live 20:00 –
Exorcism Live (w. Jang Hyunseung)
We are accepting tips/stories about Jang Hyunseung from before he was cured. Please refer to the main text.
@enterwithfakeid
Accepting eyewitness accounts / stories about Jang Hyunseung before the exorcism
[Please enter the details…]
100% (supposedly) anonymous guaranteed
He plans to personally read them and give a candid apology or explanation”
— Jaejae
This upcoming content has unexpectedly divided K-Pop fans. Some said they can’t wait to see Hyunseung confront his past head-on…
| theqoo
- “It’s understandable that fans who were hurt back then wouldn’t like this. I feel bad for them, but honestly, I’m kind of looking forward to this content…”
- “Wow.”
- “Wow, this sounds insanely entertaining.”
- “He’s really turning this into “fun content.” Wow, that’s wild. Just because someone apologizes or explains doesn’t mean everyone has to understand or forgive them. Who decides that since time has passed, people should just laugh it off?”
- “Honestly, people who’ve already got resentment will stay resentful no matter what, so from a viewer’s perspective, it’s actually better if he just apologizes calmly and moves on. LOL.”
- “He’s grown up and apologized, so the way he’s acting does seem sincere. I hope the longtime fans who were hurt can heal too.”
- “Fans went through really hard times back then, but MMTG is a variety show, so they’ll probably gloss over things with jokes instead of offering a proper apology. Some fans hate seeing those painful memories turned into something comedic. An idol’s main responsibility is to their fans, and he failed at that. But suddenly people act like, ‘If it’s not a crime, just laugh it off and understand,’ which feels ridiculous. Like, I’m glad Jang Hyunseung is doing well now, but the way people here are pressuring others is what bothers me.”
- “#1 most successfully ‘exorcised’ person.”
| theqoo
- “Ugh, LOL. As a Yoon Doojoon fan, this isn’t funny at all. Do you know how stressed Doojoon was back then? Exorcism or not, I don’t care how well he’s living now, but turning this into variety content honestly annoys me. LOL.”
- “Those of you pressed need to stop rambling here and go send it as a submission over there.”
- “So chill. LOL.”
- “LMAO.”
- “Oh wow, impressive.”
- “Exorcism, LOLLLLLLLL.”
- “I was seriously furious back then, but that was how long ago now? We’ve both aged, and just like he’s changed, I realized clinging to old resentment only hurts me. I’m just going to support him.”
…while others—especially longtime BEAST fans—hoped he would steer clear of any association with the group, given how he left on “bad terms” after “deeply hurting the fans.”
| theqoo
- “If this content happens, BEAST-era talk is unavoidable, but fans from that time don’t even want an apology. They just don’t want it mentioned at all. So what’s the point of making content centered on apologizing for the past? Other fandoms or casual viewers weren’t even affected, so who is this apology for? People keep telling me to ‘move on because it was 10 years ago,’ but it’s just frustrating. Can’t he just live his life quietly? I’ve never attacked him. Separate issue, but theqoo has serious double standards—telling fandoms to ‘move on’ so easily.”
- “And don’t tell people criticizing this to submit their stories. We don’t want an apology. LOL.”
- “I mean… Apologies have timing. Getting one now is just… what even is this? Everything’s already over and everyone’s gone their own way. Why should I react positively to content that’s obviously going to dig everything back up and mention old BEAST again? Ha.”
- “If you’re feeling pressed about what he did, go submit exactly what you wrote here. At least MMTG and he should be able to read the room—they might act more cautiously, even if just for show.”
- “It’s not like y’all were the only BEAST fans from back then. Regardless of what kind of content this ends up being, we cannot deny the fact that he was part of that group—how could it not be mentioned?”
- “If he didn’t leave because of an actual crime, can’t people try to be just a little understanding even if it’s uncomfortable? It’s his life. And it’s part of that group’s history too.”
Jang Hyunseung did, previously, explain why he sat out the fansign that was the beginning of it all. Read more about it here:
Former BEAST Member Sheds Light On Truth Behind His Absence At Fan Meeting Before Leaving The Group