A Shocking Revelation on Instagram
It’s not often that a former K-pop idol drops a bomb like this. On October 7, Sung Hoon—once the velvet-voiced member of vocal powerhouse Brown Eyed Soul—revealed that he didn’t leave the group by choice. The truth? He says his exit was quietly forced behind the scenes.
“I Didn’t Decide to Leave”
In a lengthy Instagram post, Sung Hoon opened up: “I wasn’t the one who chose to leave. In 2022, I was still waiting to record Brown Eyed Soul’s new album.” According to him, he waited patiently while lead singer Naul battled vocal issues. But things took a turn when he saw Naul appear on variety shows—seemingly healed and launching solo projects.
“One morning, I found out online that Naul’s solo was in the works,” Sung Hoon continued. The news hit hard. “For someone who had prayed for his recovery just the day before, it was a punch to the gut.”
Silenced on YouTube
The drama didn’t stop with the music. Sung Hoon also revealed that he was asked to shut down his YouTube channel, SUNG BY HOON, which had been a creative lifeline. “Even if views were low, I was happy,” he wrote, adding that his label pressured him to quit unless he begged Naul for forgiveness. “I was even told to get on my knees if I wanted to keep the channel.”
Eventually, Sung Hoon ended his channel with one last cover—Lee Sora’s emotional ballad “Amen.”
The Contract He Couldn’t Refuse
After several solo efforts by fellow members and himself, Sung Hoon said he was ambushed by the label’s CEO, who showed up at his home with a withdrawal contract. “He told me to stamp it—no questions asked. My mind went blank.” Though Sung Hoon asked for time, he ultimately agreed to quit under one condition: no media manipulation from either side.
Now, he feels betrayed. “If I was never meant to be part of this group, why didn’t they remove my vocals from the 5th album? That would’ve been more respectful,” he wrote.
“I Wanted to Protect It Until the End”
This public statement isn’t about revenge, Sung Hoon insists. It’s about closure—for himself and his fans. “So many people remember me with warm hearts. That makes me feel guilty, which is why I’m speaking out. My departure wasn’t voluntary. I hope people understand that I truly wanted to stay.”
And with that, he closed with an apology for disturbing what should’ve been a peaceful Chuseok celebration—a major Korean holiday similar to Thanksgiving—saying, “I had to speak up, even if it’s late.”
A Legacy Called Into Question
In March 2023, Brown Eyed Soul’s agency LONG PLAY MUSIC announced Sung Hoon’s exit and contract termination, claiming it was mutual. Now, fans are rethinking what really happened behind the ballads.
As the Hallyu wave reminds us time and again: even the smoothest vocal harmony can hide some serious backstage noise.
