Agency January announced on November 28 that Na Sang-hyun’s band dropped their criminal complaint against the online poster of false sexual harassment allegations following a heartfelt apology and written statement received on November 26, according to Yonhap News. Legal representatives from Jeongdog Law Firm identified the perpetrator who had defamed the band member by claiming inappropriate thigh-touching during a drinking gathering, prompting charges of defamation, business obstruction, and slander. Confirmation via the minor’s parents and attorneys revealed the accuser’s underage status and severely compromised mental condition, leading to the compassionate withdrawal without any financial settlement.​

Hasty apology reversed after truth emerged

The scandal ignited in May when vocalist-guitarist Na Sang-hyun-Seoul National University alum and indie scene darling behind hits like band albums and solo works-faced accusations of feigning drunkenness to grope a woman’s thigh at a booze-fueled party. Na quickly posted a remorseful statement admitting vague post-drinking memories caused unintended hurt, fueling public outrage and speculation. Agency swiftly retracted, admitting the preemptive moral mea culpa issued sans full verification; investigations proved the claims baseless, halting all activities for six grueling months amid reputational carnage.​

Vow to shield artists from digital witch hunts

January expressed profound remorse for “immature early handling,” pledging exhaustive efforts to prevent rights violations while urging thorough fact-checks before judgments. The resolution underscores indie artists’ vulnerability to anonymous online mobs, with Na’s camp emphasizing justice over punishment to affirm truth’s triumph. Fans rally behind the cleared musician, hungry for his musical resurrection post-trauma