The Boyz’s Hyunjae apologizes for wearing hat with Rising Sun flag design

Hyunjae of K-pop act The Boyz has apologized for donning a hat with a Rising Sun flag design — a symbol of Japan’s wartime aggression, used by the imperial military during World War II.

Many people in Korea and other Asian countries believe the flag, which features a red disc surrounded by 16 red rays, should be prohibited from being used, as it is an emblem of Japan’s wartime atrocities.

Hyunjae was seen wearing the controversial hat in a travel video filmed in Tokyo, which was posted on The Boyz’ official YouTube channel, Feb. 3. After it was released, numerous internet users criticized the 25-year-old and his management company, IST Entertainment, for being insensitive.

In the wake of the controversy, IST took down the clip and re-uploaded an edited version with no hat. It also issued an apology on Hyunjae’s behalf, saying, “We apologize for fueling worries.”

“Hyunjae put on the hat without being aware of the problematic pattern, and we also did not recognize it at first,” it added. “We will take extra care from now on to prevent the recurrence of an incident like this.”

Hyunjae debuted as a member of The Boyz with the lead single “Boy” in 2017. The Boyz, best known for hits like “Reveal” (2020), is scheduled to put out its eighth mini-album, “BE AWAKE,” Feb. 20.