Former Xdinary Heroes leader Gunil has personally addressed the controversy that led to his sudden departure from the group and JYP Entertainment, admitting that the leaked recording of him badmouthing fans was real while providing further context for his comments.
Gunil revealed that the person behind the exposé was someone he had met through an acquaintance and had known for only around two weeks. He admitted that the voice heard making disparaging remarks about fans in the leaked recording was indeed his.
However, Gunil stressed that his comments were not intended to target Villains as a whole. According to the idol, he had been struggling mentally after experiencing severe invasions of privacy. He claimed sasaengs had broken into Xdinary Heroes’ dorm and placed a GPS tracker on his personal vehicle, while malicious comments and rumors had also taken a toll on him.
Gunil said the situation worsened around the group’s June concert at Inspire Arena. After putting significant effort into preparing for the shows, he checked social media following the first concert and encountered what he described as vicious posts that went beyond ordinary criticism. Unable to openly discuss his struggles with the members or staff because he was the group’s leader and oldest member, Gunil said he eventually vented to the person he had recently met.
He maintained that the harsh remarks heard in the recording referred specifically to sasaengs and malicious commenters, rather than ordinary fans. Gunil also addressed alleged comments concerning his members. He acknowledged that it would be dishonest to claim he had never felt dissatisfied with people he lived and worked alongside every day, but insisted that he genuinely loved and cared for the other five members.
The letter has prompted sympathy from some international fans, particularly over Gunil’s claims of stalking and serious privacy violations. Some have questioned whether JYP Entertainment adequately protected him and have even called for his reinstatement.
On Korean communities, however, the response has been considerably less sympathetic. Rather than viewing the letter as sufficient justification for his behavior, commenters argued that Gunil had effectively confirmed the central allegations himself. Others were baffled that he had apparently shared such sensitive thoughts with someone he had only known for around two weeks. Another called out that the incident already sowed mistrust between him and fans, as well as the group, calling the leave inevitable.
| theqoo
- Well, he admitted it’s true then. So leaving is the right thing to do.
- ? LOL.
- Huh? Isn’t it normal for fans to lose feelings for him because he’s so stupid as to badmouth fans and members to someone he’s barely known for two weeks? I really think those who are understanding of that and are shielding him are just crazy over men.
- He’s already starting to resent his fans, will he be able to distinguish the good from the bad?
- Boy crazy girls are insane. That’s why lowlifes who make money like nothing happen, regardless of what they’ve done, are spawning on TikTok.
- So what? You reap what you sow. Ugh.
For many, the fact that he acknowledged making the leaked remarks, regardless of whom he says they were directed toward, remains the central issue.
You can read his full letter below.
Gunil Pens Tell-All Letter To Fans, Revealing The Exact Reason Of His Departure From Xdinary Heroes