Before The Boyz's Ju Haknyeon, Kirara Asuka was linked to another idol ¡ª accused of cheating on boyfriend Ryu Hirokawa

After THE BOYZ¡¯s Ju Haknyeon was officially removed from the group following a late-night rendezvous with retired Japanese pornstar Kirara Asuka, the internet hasn¡¯t stopped talking. What began as a tabloid scoop from Tokyo quickly turned into a major point of discussion among fans, with new information surfacing online.

Ju¡¯s agency, One Hundred Label, terminated his contract, citing the seriousness of the incident, and many fans began questioning Asuka¡¯s involvement. But this isn't the first time her name has been linked to a male idol. An earlier controversy has now come back into focus.

Kirara Asuka and Hey! Say! JUMP¡¯s Inoo Kei's forgotten scandal resurfaces

Before Ju Haknyeon, there was Inoo Kei. A past report from Japanese media outlet Shukan Josei, now getting renewed attention, linked Asuka to Hey! Say! JUMP¡¯s Inoo Kei nearly a decade ago. The two were reportedly seen together in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands hotel.

Credit: X

Eyewitnesses claimed they looked like a couple and were spotted getting cosy in the jacuzzi. At the time, Johnny & Associates quickly issued a statement saying they had only met once at a friend¡¯s dinner party and their meeting in Singapore was purely coincidental. Asuka¡¯s agency echoed the same, while she remained silent. Fans had their doubts then, and with the latest scandal, those doubts have resurfaced.

What about her boyfriend? Questions around YouTuber Ryu Hirokawa

Many also remember Asuka¡¯s more recent relationship with Japanese YouTuber Ryu Hirokawa, also known as Hilock. The pair went public in 2024 after appearing together at a cosplay fashion event in Osaka. They dressed as characters from the anime Fairy Musketeers Little Red Riding Hood, fulfilling Ryu¡¯s dream of walking the runway.

Ryu, who revealed his intellectual disability in 2021, received support for his openness and growing influence on social media. But now, people are wondering if they had broken up before Asuka¡¯s meeting with Ju Haknyeon. Since no official breakup was ever announced, fans are left to connect the dots.

More about Ju Haknyeon's controversy

Ju Haknyeon¡¯s scandal began making waves after he was reportedly seen spending a late night out with retired Japanese adult film actress Kirara Asuka in Tokyo¡¯s Roppongi district on May 29, 2025. According to witnesses, the two appeared quite close, sharing drinks, laughing, and even cosying up to each other at the bar. Photos from the night showed Asuka resting her chin on Ju¡¯s shoulder, which only added fuel to the fire. As speculation grew, his agency acted quickly, first announcing a hiatus and then officially terminating his contract on June 18, citing the seriousness of the situation and broken trust within the group.

While Ju Haknyeon¡¯s departure from THE BOYZ has made headlines, Kirara Asuka has yet to comment on the scandal.

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