Hongbin Has Quit VIXX Six Months After His Highly Controversial Twitch Stream
Updated Aug. 7 2020, 11:28 a.m. ET
Everyone has highly regrettable moments on social media (remember MySpace photos?) and that doesn't exclude k-pop superstar Hongbin. Earlier this year, the singer, who has been part of the band since 2012, aired out some of VIXX's dirty laundry while livestreaming on the gaming app Twitch, which ultimately looped him into some serious drama. But what actually happened?
Six months after Hongbin's Twitch livestream, he left VIXX — but what really happened? We have the tea on what went down between the group's band members.
Behind Hongbin's controversial Twitch stream earlier this year:
On Feb. 29, VIXX‘s Hongbin took to Twitch to celebrate his channel's first "birthday," but apparently, Hongbin celebrated a bit too hard. According to Korea Boo, he downed three bottles of Soju as well as a full bottle of wine within four hours, and obviously, he became quite drunk. Hongbin reportedly proceeded to flip off viewers and trashed other k-pop bands including SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, and INFINITE.
After the stream ended, fans became worried, and Hongbin's bandmate Leo tweeted at fans not to worry. Two hours later, Hongbin apparently returned less drunk but dug himself a deeper hole by trying to defend his belligerence for a full hour until the door rang. Many think it was Leo, because Hongbin then implied Leo had also come by to tell him to quit the band.
He wrapped up the stream, saying he "will leave the team if that is what the teammates want.”
Supposedly, Hongbin left VIXX on his own volition.
Although it sounded as though his bandmates and fans alike were angered by Hongbin's livestream, and may have wanted him out of the group, it seems as though the singer left on his own accord. VIXX's management company, Jellyfish Entertainment, posted a message which was translated to English by Twitter user @BAPERFECTVIXX, which essentially explained he no longer wanted to be part of the group.
VIXX's management company and the other band-members apparently discussed Hongbin's wishes to leave, and they respect his decision. However, the message apparently said they are still going to promote the band as five members, which may imply that they are looking to replace him. While nobody will truly replace Hongbin, we're glad the group is looking to move forward from this.
Hongbin is returning to Twitch for the first time since his drunk broadcast.
On Aug. 6, Hongbin apparently returned to Twitch with a long blog post, implying he is returning to the social media site after a much-needed hiatus, according to All K-Pop.
He wrote, "Hello everyone, are you doing well? I've been so cooped up at home, the same as always, that I think I could get by just rolling around. I've been thinking a lot that I really want to go live and play games with everyone, laughing and smiling."
He continued: "While I was on hiatus from broadcasts, there were a lot of changes. I'm still getting used to things. I don't know what other changes are in store, but I hope to create broadcasts where everyone can laugh and chat comfortably, like before. I know I'm still unprofessional and I may fumble from time to time, I will do my best so that everyone can enjoy my broadcasts. I'm sorry for making you wait so long. See you soon."
Did Hongbin leave VIXX to become a professional Twitch gamer? Will he continue performing? Either way, we're wishing the k-pop star the best.
