Rebellious Trainee With Cancelled Debut Will Now Debut In A New K-Pop Group

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He’s involved in a multi-million dollar lawsuit.

Koreaboo

6 minutes ago

A former pre-debut member of FANTASY BOYS has announced that he’ll be making a fresh start with a new company and a new group.

J1 (formerly known as Yu Junwon or Yoo Junwon) competed on the audition survival shows Fantasy Boys and &AUDITION – The Howling. He was the first-place-ranked trainee on Fantasy Boys but was excluded from the lineup based on claims that his parents had found the contract he signed unfair.

The court denied the idol’s application for a suspension of his exclusive contract, and the company offered J1 a second chance, which was not taken. In 2023, J1 filed for an injunction to suspend his contract, citing broken trust with the company, and a lawsuit claiming ₩3.00 billion KRW (about $2.29 million USD) in damages was filed against J1, following his abrupt departure. The Seoul Western District Court rejected Junwon’s injunction to terminate his contract.

Even so, J1 continued to move forward with his own activities, violating his contract amid the lawsuit.

Former Boy Group Member Continues To Violate Contract Despite Lawsuit

In December of 2023, J1 was offered a chance to rejoin FANTASY BOYS but, in the end, this didn’t happen. Three years later, on January 31, 2026, Yu Junwon announced a Japan fanmeeting in March under his new stage name, J1, despite his ongoing legal proceedings with Phunky Studio.

FANTASY BOYS Gives A Second Chance To Trainee Yu Junwon Who Left The Group — On One Condition

On June 3, J1 posted a black square on Instagram and an announcement about his future plans. He mentioned joining a new company where he has joined a lineup of new members, but beyond that, he didn’t share any details about his debut. He did, however, mention taking legal action to address the spread of misinformation.

Hello, this is Yu Junwon.

It has taken me a very long time to greet you like this.

Over the past three years, there were many days when I wanted to speak but could not.
All I could do was endure, and the time I had to carry everything on my own lasted much longer than I had expected.

Even so, I never stopped. And now, I have found a company that will sincerely support me, as well as members who I can move forward with. Though I am cautious, I am sharing this news with a trembling heart.

This is my second challenge. Thinking of those who have always believed in me, I am preparing diligently so as not to disappoint you.

As for the matters that have been reported differently from the facts, I will respond calmly through legal channels.
Thank you.

Sincerely,
Yu Junwon

— J1’s announcement

In the comment section, fans expressed their support for J1 and his new beginning.

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