IHOTEU Disbands After CEO Scandal: K-Pop Girl Group Ends Activities Just 7 Months After Debut

By C.M. Ong | June 20, 2025

In a significant and shocking development that has sent ripples through the K-pop industry, the popular girl group IHOTEU has officially announced the termination of their exclusive contract with EFG Music, a subsidiary of JDB Entertainment, leading to their disbandment just seven months after their debut.

The news, confirmed through an official statement released today, comes after a period described as "deep consideration of each member's artistic direction and emotional safety" by both the group and the agency. However, the decision is widely understood to be a direct consequence of a recent scandal involving Lee Kang Hee, the married CEO of JDB Entertainment, and Mina, one of the three members of IHOTEU.

A Scandalous End to a Promising Start

Since their highly anticipated debut in May/June 2024, the three-member group, consisting of Mina, Negi, and Amu, quickly garnered attention for their vibrant concepts, powerful vocals, and synchronized choreography. Debuting with the single album "The First Wave" and operating primarily as "underground idols" focused on live performances, IHOTEU rapidly built a dedicated fanbase, affectionately referred to as "HOTEs." Their journey saw them release several successful mini-albums and full-length albums, delivering memorable tracks and captivating performances that solidified their place as a rising force in the highly competitive K-pop landscape.

Their partnership with JDB Entertainment and its newly established subsidiary, EFG Music (launched in October 2024 with IHOTEU as its first artist), seemed promising, providing them with the platform and resources to launch and grow their careers. However, a recent controversy swiftly brought this chapter to an unexpected and abrupt end.

Allegations of an inappropriate relationship between JDB Entertainment's CEO, Lee Kang Hee (who is married with two children), and IHOTEU member Mina surfaced through leaked photos and videos circulating on social media. These showed the two in intimate situations, meeting privately after schedules, and engaging in public displays of affection. The scandal led to immense public backlash and Mr. Lee Kang Hee's resignation from his executive positions, creating an operational collapse at both JDB Entertainment and EFG Music.

Initially, EFG Music announced that Mina would cease all group activities, with Negi and Amu continuing. However, in a swift reversal just hours later, the agency confirmed the termination of exclusive contracts for all three members, effectively disbanding the group. Mina has since deactivated her official activity accounts.

The fallout from the scandal has extended beyond IHOTEU. EFG Music has announced the temporary suspension of all its activities, with the future of the label to be determined after internal audits and legal consultation. This includes the termination of contracts for other affiliated artists, such as live idol Nana and the disbandment of the band HIJK, which had debuted less than a month prior.

This sudden conclusion marks a major turning point for the members of IHOTEU, whose promising careers have been cut short due to circumstances outside their artistic endeavors. The incident highlights the intense scrutiny and potential fragility of careers within the K-pop industry, especially in the wake of personal scandals involving management.