Forced Out: Popular Group’s Former Member Drops Shocking Revelation About His Sudden Departure
In a lengthy Instagram post, Brown Eyed Soul‘s former member Sunghoon exposed the popular R&B vocal group and its management for forcing him to withdraw, but still using his voice in the recently released album.
Back in 2023, Brown Eyed Soul announced that “member Sung Hoon left the group as of March 8.” While the group’s long-time fans found the departure to be unexpected, it was said that “Both sides reached a mutual and amicable agreement to terminate the exclusive contract,” so no further questions were asked.
Fast forward to 2025, though, about two weeks following Brown Eyed Soul’s much-awaited 5th album release, the former member has resurfaced to address his sudden leave—arguing that he “didn’t make the decision to leave the group.”
Sunghoon first explained that he was blindsided by Naul‘s decision to pursue a solo project, as he had been waiting for Brown Eyed Soul to reunite.
View this post on Instagram
“Hello, I hope you’re all spending a peaceful Chuseok holiday. Yesterday, I heard that one of my dearest fans was unable to get any tickets. That made me realize—though it’s late—that I should humbly share my side of the story.
First of all, I did not make the decision to leave the group.
Back in 2022, I was waiting for the recording of Brown Eyed Soul’s new album. But then Naul-hyung said his throat wasn’t in good condition and that he didn’t know when his voice would come back. So I prayed and waited.
Still, I couldn’t just sit and wait forever, so I decided to release my second solo album. In the meantime, I saw Naul-hyung appear on ‘Hangout with Yoo’ and thought, ‘I’m glad he seems to be doing better.’
But one morning, I woke up to find out online that his voice had already recovered and that a solo project for him was being planned.I think he talked about it on Echo Bridge-hyung’s podcast. It was a huge shock to me, to be honest. Just the day before, I had prayed, ‘Please, let Naul-hyung’s voice return.’ For what, though? Is this what they call a ‘trigger’? All the sorrow and frustration I’d been holding in for 20 years started to erupt.”
— Sunghoon
After going over the timeline of Brown Eyed Soul’s hiatus and comeback, Sunghoon accused INNEXTTREND‘s CEO Lee Soo Keun of coercing him to sign a termination of his contract and even banning him from running his YouTube channel.
“Even so, what kept me going through it all was my YouTube channel, SUNG BY HOON. Even though I wasn’t getting tons of views, I was genuinely happy doing it. But then the management company CEO told me I couldn’t do YouTube anymore—and even said that if I wanted to keep doing it, I should kneel before Naul-hyung and beg for forgiveness first?
I still remember how much it hurt when he said, ‘I don’t know if the hyungs will ever forgive you.’ So I decided not to push it further. My channel came to an end with the last cover of the song ‘Amen’ by Lee Sora.
Then, after releasing the song with Sung Si Kyung, and Taeyeon, and even Naul’s solos, the CEO suddenly showed up at my house with a termination of contract document, demanding that I stamp it immediately. I was completely stunned. I told him I needed time to think and sent him away.
The next day, after much thought, I agreed—on the condition that neither side would manipulate the media about the split.”
— Sunghoon
Sunghoon then expressed frustration at how Brown Eyed Soul is still using his voice while pushing “OT3.” The former member ended the long post apologizing for causing concern over the national holiday, but firmly claiming “there are things that must be said and set straight.”
“Now I hear things like the hyungs calling Brown Eyed Soul a tricycle or saying ‘three is the perfect number’…? Fine, that’s all OK, I can accept that. But if that’s how it is, shouldn’t my voice have been removed from the fifth album? Wouldn’t that have been the right thing to do?
The reason I’m writing this is because so many kind fans have continued to remember me, cherish me, and hold me in their hearts. Their support has turned into a feeling of guilt for me. So I want to make it clear: this was not my choice. Please know that I wanted, with all my heart, to protect the team until the very end.
I’m sorry for causing concern during this holiday season. But I believe there are things that must be said and set straight, so I’m speaking up now.
I wish you all good health and peace. To each and every precious fan—may you always be happy.”
— Sunghoon
Neither Brown Eyed Soul members nor the management company has responded to the Instagram post yet.
Stay tuned for updates.
