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New Delhi: A growing scandal has engulfed the K-pop industry after leaked chat screenshots appeared to implicate members from several prominent groups. This includes ASTRO, Stray Kids, ENHYPEN, and ATEEZ, in alleged late-night parties with female influencers.

The controversy, which initially centred around The Boyz, has continued to snowball, drawing even more names into the fray.

Cha Eun Woo, MJ and others named in leaked party chats

The situation intensified around June 10-11, when private chat conversations between influencers were circulated widely across South Korea’s social media platforms, including Threads. The messages, allegedly exchanged after a night of partying, casually referenced drinking sessions with high-profile idols, alongside personal commentary and blurry photographs believed to depict the stars.

ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo and MJ were specifically named-checked. One influencer recounted being surprised by Eun Woo’s attendance and called MJ “f***ing handsome” and “good at drinking.” However, she emphasised her preference, stating, “But anyway, it’s Cha Eunwoo for me.” A separate post mentioned The Boyz, with a girl writing, “They’re handsome. Just handsome. But why do they keep calling me baby? I can’t drink no more. They keep saying my personality is good.” A photo accompanying the message appeared to show Hyunjae and Sangyeon from the same group.

ATEEZ’s Mingi was also referenced, with a woman claiming he had initially pretended to be someone else. “But I really had no clue who he was then, but he was ATEEZ’s Mingi. No wonder everyone kept calling him Mingi, but I just thought he was really a director,” she said.

Stray Kids also a part?

Further claims suggested that members of Stray Kids and ENHYPEN had also been part of the same marathon party session. “It was legendarily fun. I wanna KMS. Sigh,” read one message. Another described the gathering as “a meeting of f***ing handsome people” and simply “Happy.”

The scandal has rekindled past rumours as well. MONSTA X’s Hyungwon and Minhyuk, previously linked to similar controversies, were dragged back into the spotlight. It was claimed that Hyungwon’s ex-girlfriend had started dating The Boyz’s Sunwoo. “The girl Hyungwon from MONSTA X was dating switched over to Kim Sunwoo, so Minhyuk went to the waiting room and told Kim Sunwoo to get his act together,” a post alleged.

Sunwoo, in an attempt to pacify fans, addressed them via his platform but later issued a more heartfelt apology. “The Bs, I spoke too lightly and played games without being aware of the situation… I’m sorry, truly sorry,” he wrote.