SHINee's Onew Posts Handwritten Apology Letter Following Sexual Harassment Controversy

The leader of K-Pop group SHINee wrote in the letter, 'I felt so sorry that I was cautious even about writing anything, so I’m only finally posting this now,' admitting that 'it's so late.'

Four months after being hit with sexual harassment allegation, Onew offered an apology to other SHINee members, his fans, his parents and his company SM Entertainment through a handwritten letter. The leader of K-Pop group SHINee posted the letter on the five-piece group's official website, addressing the controversy which occurred back in August.

"Hello, this is Onew," the 27-year-old South Korean singer began in his letter. "I am sincerely sorry for disappointing my supportive and loving fans with the bad news. While I have been on hiatus from activities for four months, I have been reflecting deeply on how much I must have disappointed all of you fans who have loved my lacking self, and I resented and blamed myself."

Onew, whose real name is Lee Jin Ki, revealed that he "worried for a long time about how to apologize and what words I should use." He continued, "I felt so sorry that I was cautious even about writing anything, so I’m only finally posting this now, even though it’s so late."

"The more love and attention I received, the more responsibly I should have acted in my private life as well, and so I am so sorry to have caused disappointment," he added.

In the letter, Onew stated that he wanted "to say through this letter that I’m truly sorry to our members who have been working hard with me for over nine years," referencing to fellow SHINee members Key, Jonghyun, Minho and Taemin. "I want to apologize once again to my parents and company staff who must have been surprised because of me," Onew went on writing in the heartfelt letter.

The singer concluded his letter with "I will keep on reflecting, and always be more strict with myself and try hard. I promise that in the future, both in public and private matters, I will truly do my best to be someone worthy of the name of the team SHINee."

SHINee's Onew @skehehdanfdldi letter of apology 😭😭❤ http://pic.twitter.com/FUWoWSRbNQ

— EJ (@elaine_12699) December 4, 2017

Back in August, fans were shocked after a report suggested that Onew was being investigated for an alleged sexual harassment. He was accused of inappropriately grabbing a woman three times at a night club in Gangnam on Saturday, August 12. Police arrived at the scene after receiving reports of the alleged sexual harassment and interviewed the singer for 5 hours. Onew reportedly told police that he was too drunk to recall what actually happened that night.

SM Entertainment later issued a statement which said that the charges were dropped as the situation was caused by a misunderstanding. "In the early morning of the 12th, [Onew] attended a club with friends to congratulate an acquaintance who had debuted as a DJ. He was dancing in a drunken state, and he unintentionally made physical contact with those around him. Because of the misunderstanding, he was investigated by police," the company explained. "However, the other side has admitted it's something that could occur and has dropped the charges as the misunderstanding has been cleared up. Onew plans to faithfully participate in the remaining investigation."