Drama with the Monsta X members: The Wonho scandal

The Monsta X Wonho scandal has remained one of the more persistent storylines in recent K-pop history. What began with late-2019 allegations and a member departure has continued to spark fan debates years later, especially as members have been spotted maintaining personal ties and as Wonho has built an independent career. The original questions about what happened, why he left, and why fans reacted so strongly still matter, but the timeline now stretches well past 2020 with new developments on all sides.

What did Wonho do?

Wonho served as one of Monsta X’s vocalists until his departure in October 2019. The public claims against him centered on unpaid debts and alleged marijuana use. South Korean television personality Jung Dae-eun posted on social media asking when Wonho would repay money she said he owed, then added that items belonging to her had appeared on a second-hand auction site with Wonho’s contact information attached. She further stated that Wonho had smoked marijuana with her in 2013 at the Burning Sun nightclub. An executive connected to the club later corroborated parts of her account. Starship Entertainment immediately denied the allegations. Police later investigated the marijuana claims and found no evidence to support them.

Then Wonho was kicked out of Monsta X?

Starship described the split as an amicable parting reached after internal discussion. Wonho posted a handwritten letter apologizing to fans and explaining that he wanted to avoid any further damage to the group. In a follow-up interview with Dispatch, he stated that he chose to leave quickly so Monsta X could continue without him. He also expressed regret for promises made to fans that he would remain by their side. The agency confirmed the decision was mutual. Wonho signed with Highline Entertainment, a Starship subsidiary, in April 2020 and completed mandatory military service between December 2022 and September 2024.

Legal and Public Outcome of Allegations

Seoul Metropolitan Police closed the drug investigation on March 10, 2020, stating that no evidence supported the marijuana claims. The debt allegations raised on social media were never pursued to a criminal conviction. No additional verified allegations have surfaced since the original 2019–2020 period. Starship’s initial rejection of the claims aligned with the final police findings. The agency later supported Wonho’s solo activities under its related label structure.

So why are people angry now?

In March 2020, photos surfaced of Wonho dining with several Monsta X members. The images reignited fan tension, prompting member Hyungwon to issue a public apology. He acknowledged that some fans were upset and promised the group would be more careful moving forward. That incident is now viewed as historical within the fandom. Occasional sightings and social media interactions still generate discussion, yet no major new public association scandals have been confirmed in recent years.

Wonho’s Solo Career Since 2020

After leaving Monsta X, Wonho launched a solo career under Highline Entertainment. His first EP, Love Synonym #1: Right for Me, arrived in September 2020. He continued releasing music during and after military service, culminating in his first full studio album, Syndrome, on October 31, 2025. The project included the single “Better Than Me.” In early 2026 he confirmed a July comeback, marking his first release of the year. Fans have tracked his transition from group member to independent artist through these milestone dates and consistent output.

Current Status of Monsta X as a Six-Member Group

Monsta X has continued as a six-member lineup since Wonho’s departure: Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M. The group has maintained an active release and touring schedule, including activities planned through 2026. Discussions around the group’s tenth anniversary have highlighted both the current roster and the lasting impact of the original seven-member era. The members have balanced group promotions with individual projects while navigating the expectations of a changed lineup.

Fan Perspectives and Ongoing Discussions

Online conversations, particularly on platforms such as Reddit, continue to weigh the possibility of future interactions or reunion performances. Some fans express lingering guilt when engaging with post-2019 content, while others voice a desire for the members to maintain personal friendships without public apologies. OT7 content remains a recurring topic even as the group operates officially as six. These conversations reflect a fandom still processing the original split alongside newer developments in both solo and group careers.

The Monsta X Wonho story has evolved from immediate scandal coverage into a longer record of cleared allegations, solo milestones, and shifting group dynamics. Fans continue to follow both paths, weighing past events against present realities without a single definitive resolution in sight.