The highly-anticipated debut of ATBO, the latest boy group sensation from IST Entertainment, has hit a major snag due to allegations of school violence against one of its members, Yang Dong Hwa.

ATBO, comprising seven talented individuals including Yang Dong Hwa, had been selected through a rigorous process showcased on the reality show "The Origin," which aired from March to May.

Yang Dong-hwa, who was selected as a debut member as "ATBO" in the survival program "THE ORIGIN --A, B, Or What?" .. .. ..
https://t.co/9Erw4LxKas pic.twitter.com/aUGK3g0g7C

— KpopCeleb (@kpopceleb) June 14, 2022

With their debut slated for the second half of the year, fans were eagerly awaiting the arrival of this promising group.

However, excitement turned to dismay as reports of Yang Dong Hwa's involvement in school violence surfaced on various online platforms and social media channels.

IST Entertainment swiftly responded to the allegations, initiating a thorough investigation into the matter.

In an official statement released on June 13th via their social media channels, IST Entertainment acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and disclosed their findings.

"After reading the posts regarding Yang Dong Hwa on social media and online communities, we received the artist's consent to contact the school officials, alumni and acquaintances to discuss the issue and confirm the facts. Along with this, we also proceeded with fact-checking procedures.

Though some of the assertions turned out to be different from the truth, we found out there were students who were hurt because of Yang Dong Hwa's immature and inappropriate remarks and actions." 

While some claims were found to be inaccurate, it was confirmed that Yang Dong Hwa had indeed made inappropriate remarks and actions, resulting in harm to his fellow students.

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Expressing deep remorse for his past behavior, Yang Dong Hwa personally apologized to those affected by his actions.

"We were able to get through to some of the students, and Yang Dong Hwa offered a sincere apology to them in person. Yang Dong Hwa reflects on his past actions that were unbecoming of a student, and he is deeply ashamed of how he offended people around him with his lack of consideration. 

Apart from the students he had the opportunity to meet with in-person to apologize, he knows there may be more students who went through a hard time because of him, and he has a heavy heart thinking of them.

Following the fact-checking process mentioned above and an in-depth discussion with the artist, we have decided that he will no longer be joining ATBO in their debut and promotions." 

READ MORE: ATBO Seok Rakwon To Part Ways With Group For THIS Reason - What Happened?

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Despite his sincere repentance, IST Entertainment made the difficult decision to remove him from the lineup of ATBO, effectively ending his journey with the group before it even began.

The agency emphasized their commitment to maintaining the integrity and reputation of their artists, recognizing the potential negative impact Yang Dong-hwa's controversy could have on ATBO and other affiliated acts such as Apink, Victon, The Boyz, and Weeekly.

"Although he hasn't made his debut, Yang Dong Hwa and his parents have expressed their desire to be reprimanded for the mistakes, and will take this time to self-reflect and repent.

We know this does not make up for the past, but we hope the artist's sincerity was delivered to those he has hurt.

For the artist himself, we hope this serves as a chance to look back on the past and turn over a new leaf. Yang Dong Hwa will continue to work toward his goal."

While this setback undoubtedly deals a devastating blow to Yang Dong Hwa's aspirations, both he and his parents have accepted responsibility for his actions and expressed a willingness to undergo a period of self-reflection and redemption.

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In light of the sensitive nature of the issue and the potential repercussions for the group's future endeavors, IST Entertainment's decision to prioritize accountability and integrity reflects their dedication to upholding industry standards and public trust.

As Yang Dong Hwa navigates this challenging chapter in his career, it remains to be seen how he will emerge from this setback and whether he can ultimately realize his dreams within the fiercely competitive world of K-pop.

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KpopStarz owns this article.
Written by Cassidy Jones.