FM reveals why staff didn't intervene when M.O.N.Ts Beomhan was attacked in NYC

May 22, 2024

With many K-pop idols speaking up about hate against Asians, K-pop fans all over the world are aware of how physical assault in relation to race can be traumatic for individuals. When trainee Beomhan, who is currently under FM Entertainment’s pre-debut group M.O.N.T Arena (aka M.O.N.T), released a video addressing his assault that took place when he was in New York City, fans started raising concerns about the traumatic effect the incident would have had on him.

Fans raised their concerns with the label in terms of why they let a 21-year-old idol suffer the consequences of a hate crime without intervening and helping him. Beomhan had mentioned in his video that he released early in February that he was on the subway in New York City in 2021 on tour with solo singer Jay Chang when he was attacked by a homeless man. The attacker hurled many racial and homophobic slurs at him and assaulted him by choking him.

K-pop fans are aware that staff members always accompany K-pop idols or trainees when they are on schedule and after Beomhan’s assault, they wondered why the staff members that accompanied him did not intervene to protect the trainee.

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FM Entertainment issues their official statement

With fans raising their concerns about the issue, FM Entertainment, the label under which Beomhan trains, issued their official statement, stating what they knew of the incident and why the staff that accompanied him did not intervene. In their statement that was released on February 28, the label reported that Beomhan was attacked when he was on a break in his hometown in New York. They also stated that the period in which the attack took place was after the end of his US schedule.

FM Entertainment reported that the staff was not on call at that time. The label reported that since the attack was sudden and racial in nature, the staff had no way of protecting Beomhan.

beomhan got attacked/called all types of racist names in nyc and he’s laughing it off because he’s beomhan but this isn’t it :/ I hope staff doesn’t let him walk around by himself anymore this is really traumatic.. pic.twitter.com/sk0nMKfQSv

— 민기🎓| ateez pcd era (@mingicastle) February 21, 2022

Beomhan receives help to overcome the incident

The label also stated that the severity of this incident is grave and as it incident has caused Beomhan both physical and mental harm. FM Entertainment is trying its best to ensure the trainee recovers through proper treatment and consultation. They also stated that with this incident being their focus, the label will try their best to take extra precautions to protect their artists.

Finally, FM Entertainment ended their statement by saying, “Our company and Beomhan hope to help bring awareness to society by accounting the incident in full detail as we believe that no one should have to go through this sort of assault and have to live in fear.”

'I hope Beomhan is okay!'

Fans, worried about the K-pop rookie, are expressing their concerns in terms of Beomhan's mental health as one fan said, "I hope Beomhan is okay." One more fan said, "Whoever assaulted beomhan can literally go to hell. Beomhan is one of the sweetest people out there and the fact that some disgusting person decided to assault him and call him racist and homophobic slurs is not okay. It will never be okay. Karma is is gonna get them."

Another fan said, "No my sweet boy :(( beomhan laughing it all off when it’s so so not okay and must have been so scary for him wtf." One more fan said, "I’m glad he’s okay ): beomhan made it very clear that he’s okay and he doesn’t want anyone hating on anyone. He said that even he was making jokes about the situation and he’s okay now so don’t make others feel bad. He sees everything."

I hope Beomhan is okay

— amy 🥩 | 📌 events + projects (@AmySookhoo) March 1, 2022

Whoever assaulted beomhan can literally go to hell. Beomhan is one of the sweetest people out there and the fact that some disgusting person decided to assault him and call him racist and homophobic slurs is not okay. It will never be okay. Karma is is gonna get them. Dios mio

— Star⁷ 🌟🪐 (@milkcrabcom) February 22, 2022

i just saw what happened to beomhan, i know it was a few days ago but i hope he’s okay

— miranda💫 ODDINARY (@MYPACEINL1FE) February 25, 2022

I’m glad he’s okay ): beomhan made it very clear that he’s okay and he doesn’t want anyone hating on anyone. He said that even he was making jokes about the situation and he’s okay now so don’t make others feel bad.

He sees everything ):

— (에릭남) eric nam thinker (@ericshandholder) February 26, 2022

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