Korean boy band SHINee's Onew has issued an apology almost four months after he was accused of sexual harassment.
Last August 12, a 20-year-old woman charged that Onew touched her inappropriately as she was dancing on stage in a club in Gangnam, Seoul.
The woman's boyfriend reported the incident to the police and Onew was arrested and booked without detention in the morning.
Onew underwent investigation for five hours but said he didn't remember anything because he was drunk.
SM Entertainment branded the incident as a misunderstanding.
In a letter he posted on SHINee's website, Onew wrote, "I sincerely apologize for delivering bad news and disappointment to the fans who've loved and cheered me on. Throughout the past 4 months of hiatus, I was able to reflect on how I've greatly disappointed the fans that have treasured me."
He added, "I've also endlessly blamed myself. I thought and thought about how to apologize, how to express with which words. I was cautious about writing a letter because I felt deeply sorry... That is why I know it's late but uploading this letter now."
Onew said because he's getting support and love, "I needed to act with responsibility even in my personal time but I'm just deeply sorry for giving disappointment. I'm very sorry to our members that I've been together with for 9 years... I also want to apologize again to my parents, as well as the employees of my agency who were shocked because of me."
He promised that he will "always reflect on actions and try harder to take care of myself more strictly. I promise to work my best to live up to our team name SHINee in both business and personal ways from now on."
Back then, SM Entertainment said, "The other side has admitted it's something that could occur and has dropped the charges as the misunderstanding has been cleared up."
Last week, fans vowed to boycott SM Entertainment's '2018 SM Artist Season Greetings' because Onew is in it. SM denied that Onew issued an apology because of the boycott.
