NH Media has recently expanded on the reasons behind Shin Dongho‘s departure, after the news was announced yesterday on U-Kiss’ Official Website.
NH Media stated, “[Dongho’s departure] was not due to a discord [with the group or the agency]. It is something that Dongho considered for a long time… Since a long time ago, Dongho didn’t think the celebrity life was right for him and has discussed this multiple times, so we have been thinking about a future course of action for a long time… [Dongho] initially took a break from his activities, but he officially decided to leave the group on the 16th.”
According to NH Media, Dongho halted his activities following his group’s Tokyo concert on August 30th. Yet after his break and a very long discussion with his parents and the company, Dongho was adamant on leaving the industry, his decision made public yesterday.
It is very rare that an agency will allow an artist to leave before the contract’s expiration, but NH Media accepted Dongho’s decision with 3 years left on his contract. A representative stated, “We decided to follow his wishes. As much as he expressed his wish not to live as a celebrity anymore, it seems like [Dongho] will not only stop his activities as a singer but in other fields as well. It seems he will start having to think about what he will do from now on.”
A translation of NH Media’s official statement can be found below:
“Hello! This is NH Media.
This is an important announcement to notify you that DongHo will be ceasing all U-KISS-related activities.
First of all, to our fans, we are sorry to be relaying this bad news to you whilst we prepare for U-KISS’s October release. DongHo, who has been with U-KISS since the group’s debut, has decided to withdraw from the group and temporarily suspend his entertainment activities.
Since U-KISS’s debut, Dongho’s activities have received a lot love from fans, but also a lot of complaints from others.
It has been difficult for Dongho to overcome the obstacle of negative press. In addition, since the start of the year, DongHo has been struggling with his health. This has influenced him in making the decision of no long being able to fulfil his entertainment activities and to begin to lead a normal life.
DongHo, his parents and the company has discussed this matter to great lengths, and although we were divided on the issue, DongHo expressed his will adamantly. In the end, the company and the U-KISS members have come to respect his decision.
The company and U-KISS members want our fans, who have been through heartache and confusion, to know that this was not an easy decision to make.
From now on, please support DongHo on his new journey. As DongHo leaves a gap in all of our hearts, the new U-KISS- SooHyun, KiSeop, Eli, AJ, Hoon and Kevin will work hard to show you a new image. The remaining six members hope that everyone will send their sincerest love and support to the group.
From the bottom of our hearts, we wish to apologise to our fans for causing you heartache.
At this time, we would like to tell our fans that SooHyun, KiSeop, Eli, AJ, Hoon and Kevin, even though they are without DongHo, will be releasing U-KISS’s next album at the end of October.
We will work even harder in the future for an improved U-KISS to stand on the stage in front of you.
Thank you.”
Even though his departure is a shock to all, especially to KissMes who have seen the departure of two original members in the past (Alexander Lee Eusebio and Kim Kibum) —many fans stand by his decision. Many have seen that his health hasn’t been the best in the last year, and the tweet “I’d like it if you stop taking pictures and videos,” which he left earlier in March, is also proof of his struggle.
We wish him all the best.
Source: OSEN, Rocketboxx
Article by: Mariam
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