JYPE accepts 2PM leader's resignation

JYP Entertainment (JYPE), the agency managing boy band 2PM, has accepted leader Park Jae-beom's resignation from the group.

The 22-year-old singer announced earlier in the day that he is quitting the group after coming under heat since the weekend over comments he made on his MySpace account between 2005-2007 regarding Korea including "I hate Koreans".

"We decided to accept Park's decision which he made in consideration of the negative public opinion," an official from JYPE told 10Asia over the phone on Tuesday.

"Park will return to his hometown in the United States but rumors about the group disbanding are completely groundless," the official added, saying the issue has yet to be discussed.

Park and JYPE had both issued apologies on Saturday after Park's comments went public, enraging and disappointing fans of one of the most popular boy bands in town.

"I first came to Korea when I was in high school...... I was young and immature back then and was having a very rough time in Korea so I made the mistake of blaming everything around me for my problems," the U.S. born and raised singer had explained in his apology statement.

While some said his apology should be accepted, some fans signed online petitions calling on the member to be ousted from the group. Broadcasters had cancelled entire or segments of pre-recorded shows Park had appeared in.

"I deeply apologize to everyone, especially my fans who loved me so much. I am quitting 2PM as of today," Park announced on the group's online fan cafe at noon.

The group has been one of the most popular boy bands in Korea since their debut in 2008.

Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr