South Korean rapper Ravi has left K-pop boy band VIXX following allegations he used falsified medical documents to evade the country’s mandatory military service.
Ravi, whose real name is Kim Won-sik, reportedly hired a military broker known to falsify medical documents. In Ravi’s case, he allegedly lied about an epilepsy diagnosis via a hospital neurologist, which helped him obtain a delayed military exemption. Ravi was brought to court on Tuesday, and prosecutors are seeking a two-year prison sentence.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men under the age of 30 must enlist for an approximate two-year military service. Ravi’s departure from the group was announced on April 11 by their label and management company, Jellyfish Entertainment, who said in a statement:
We sincerely thank the fans who support VIXX, and we inform you of member Ravi’s departure from VIXX. After careful discussion between Ravi and the agency, it was decided that he will leave the team as of today. We deeply apologize for causing trouble to the fans who support VIXX.
The rapper also issued an apology on his Instagram account, where he admitted to having been desperate to delay his military service because of the burden of contract cancellation charges.
With desperation, I made a foolish decision, and when my worries about the company and the contract issues were resolved, I voluntarily registered for public service and was carrying out my service since October of last year. I would like to sincerely apologize to the epilepsy patients and their families who must have been hurt by this self-justified wrong decision I made in this process along with everyone required to serve who is diligently carrying out their duty even at this moment.
He continued by extending his apology to epilepsy patients and their families.
I would like to sincerely apologize to the epilepsy patients and their families who must have been hurt by this self-justified wrong decision I made in this process along with everyone required to serve who is diligently carrying out their duty even at this moment.
Finally, he apologized to his fans and fellow VIXX members and stated that he left the group to prevent further harm.
Ravi debuted as a member of VIXX in 2012. In 2019, he established his own record label but remained part of the boy band. With his departure, the group is now a quartet composed of N, Leo, Ken and Hyuk.
