Kim Geun Woo, a contestant on the survival show Boys Planet 2, has issued a handwritten apology after being accused of bullying and mistreating fellow trainees, triggering a wave of public backlash and sparking intense scrutiny of the show.

Controversy hits ‘Boys Planet 2’

The ongoing reality series Boys Planet 2, already in the spotlight for its dramatic content, was rocked on July 17 after an anonymous social media post alleged that contestant Kim Geun Woo had engaged in verbal abuse and mistreatment of fellow trainees two years ago. The post quickly went viral, leading to criticism and heated debate within the K-pop community.

Kim Geun Woo responds with handwritten apology

In the wake of the backlash, Kim Geun Woo took to his social media accounts to share a handwritten letter. In it, he expressed regret for his actions and acknowledged the pain he may have caused. “I want to sincerely apologise and say that I am truly sorry for the words and actions that hurt and caused pain to many people, regardless of the reasons,” he wrote.

Admits to immature leadership but denies full allegations

Kim, who had taken on a leadership role during his trainee period, stated that the pressure led him to act inappropriately. “At the time, I was going through a difficult period as a leader who had to guide the team. Because of the pressure and sense of responsibility to do well, I was immature and unskilled in the way I led my fellow trainees,” he said.

Although he admitted to some wrongdoing, Kim clarified that not all of the allegations made against him were accurate. “However, after much consideration, I decided that rather than clarifying what is true and what is not, it is more important and appropriate for me to sincerely apologise for the things I did wrong,” he added.

Public reaction and next steps

The apology has received mixed reactions. Some netizens appreciated his willingness to take responsibility, while others criticised the lack of full transparency regarding the allegations. The show’s producers have not yet issued a formal statement on the matter.

As Boys Planet 2 continues to air, the controversy surrounding Kim Geun Woo’s behaviour has intensified scrutiny over how reality talent shows handle contestant conduct, past and present.