Nearly six years after stepping away from Jannabi amid school bullying allegations, member Yoo Young-hyun has reconciled with the accuser and received forgiveness.
In a message to fans, the indie band said that after Yoo exited the group in May 2019, he struggled but continued to reach out to the classmate who had spoken up, offering sustained, heartfelt apologies. According to Jannabi, that sincerity led to forgiveness.
The band added that while Yoo disputed some of the specific incidents listed at the time, he acknowledged there had been classwide bullying and chose to leave the group, accepting responsibility for his role as a bystander. They said they worked through a mediator, moved carefully, and prioritized the victim’s healing throughout the process.
With the accuser’s consent, Jannabi shared a letter, writing, “We hope this helps ease the hearts of fans who stood by us through a difficult chapter. We sincerely wish for the accuser, for Young-hyun, and for Jannabi to begin new chapters in their lives.”
In the letter, the accuser, identified as A, reflected, “What some might dismiss as ‘childhood pranks’ was, for me, a pain so deep it altered the course of my life. When everyone in the class laughed at me and looked away, I felt they were all bystanders―complicit. One of them later became famous as a member of Jannabi, and his name became the only way I knew to voice my hurt.”
A continued, “Time has passed since that post. I once believed I could never forgive or forget, but through my own healing, I found the courage to face the past. My former homeroom teacher sent an apology, and over several years, Young-hyun kept reaching out, trying to convey his sincerity. I felt it. He fully accepted his responsibility as a bystander and spent a long time reflecting on himself.”
According to the letter, Yoo sought out classmates who had directly bullied A and brought back their handwritten apologies and letters. The Jannabi members also stood by A over time, sharing the burden and offering support.
“It wasn’t about clearing resentment or anger,” A wrote. “It felt like a knot that had been tied up inside me for too long finally loosened. Those apologies, those letters, and the actions he took helped untie something I couldn’t undo on my own. For the first time, I thought, maybe I can finally let that time go.” A added, “I hope Jannabi’s music continues to comfort people―just as it did for me―and reaches others who carry their own pain. I’m really okay now.”
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)
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