I thought it was sexual harrassment? Is it actually sexual assault? omona.

I understand why he would need to leave the show. Sticky sticky situation for the entire production team though. Hope they find a suitable replacement stat.

SM didn't help the situation, in terms of Onew's reputation... Requesting the plaintiff to sign some papers to ensure that she dropped the charges??? Yup, smooth, SM
https://www.soompi.com/2017/08/14/shinee-onews-sexual-harassment-case-forwarded-prosecution/

Awww shucks but it's understandable given his role in the drama. Hmmm, I wonder who'll replace him though. Any suggestions?

To be frank, I'm relieved that he's stepping down there's been so much drama. I'm still dumbfounded that an actor would get so intoxicated and cause trouble, prior to his drama airing. I hope the victim is okay and recovering, and that Onew uses this time to reflect. Let's move on, and fingers crossed there's no more drama involving AOY.

On a different topic: Ryu Jun Yeol and Hyeri are dating??!! (Hmmmm Dispatch, why now?)

My first thought was, "at least he a conscience (unlike other actors who will still appear in family friendly weekenders despite more serious allegations)" ... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

On the drama side of things though, I think it would be nice if they didn't look for a replacement. They could take this chance to allow for Ye-eun to develop herself independently (no romance needed), which would be refreshing character arc. I feel bad for the staff having to scramble so suddenly though. :(

Another reason why I look forward to this drama is because of Onew but it's too bad he had to leave the show due to the unfortunate incident that happened last weekend. Sigh, I hope the production team will quickly find a replacement.

I was looking forward to his character in the drama...It sucks too because it's so close to the air date, hopefully, they find a good replacement.

Why is there so much drama in a drama man I feel sorry for the show itself

This past week was not a good time to become a new SHINee fan :/ After seeing Onew in one of the teasers, I ended up going a SHINee listening spree the whole week and I just learned about this yesterday :( It's for the best that he dropped out, given the controversy though. But in such a short amount of time left ? Hopefully, the cast change doesn't impact the production or the show too much.

To be honest, I feel sorry for the guy. From the information that's been given, the entire case seems to be merely based on 'he said, she said' and the victim apparently didn't even notice who touched her until her friend pointed out that it was Onew, and because he was so drunk, he didn't even know. Right now it's basically their friends and other eye-witnesses that's holding this case together and they all have very different opinions of what happened. His friends stated that it was an accident and the three times Onew touched her they apologized for it while for her side, it's strange because while the victim had first said that the contact could have been unintentional, acknowledged that it was an misunderstanding and dropped the case, she recently gave another statement stating that while she has dropped the case, the sexual harassment did happen. While the eye-witnesses have remained solid in their testimonies, the victim herself seems to be going back and forth despite already having dropped charges. The worst part is Onew's case having been forwarded to the prosecution and getting potentially charged with being a sexual offender. If I had to look at this case objectively, I don't think there's enough evidence to call it any kind of sexual crime other than him just being foolish enough to get wasted and accidentally just touching a lady's leg. I also feel sorry for the girl because this has really just blown up in her face with her identity getting revealed and Onew is at fault for touching her even if I won't go as far as calling it sexual harassment.

I've been really looking forward to this drama, but I'd rather they push back the premiere date and take more time to deal with the casting change. Even if they can only preempt it a week, that's better than no extra time at all.

It was the right move to make. I can only hope that the show can somehow survive all these casting changes.

It sounds like SM Entertainment was the one to make the final decision of withdrawing him rather than JTBC. I have to say I'm a little disappointed in JTBC for that. They all but eliminated Hwayoung's part for her scandal. The fact that they basically considered letting accusations of sexual assault slide, especially given what kind of show Age of Youth is... doesn't sit right with me.

I kinda knew it would end this way. Age of Youth is a show revolves around girls, it might be weird to have someone accused of sexual assault to be in it. Hope the production team can find a replacement in time, will they delay the premiere though??

It's honestly so upsetting that so much crap happened with the casting and there's so much drama for a show which hasn't even aired yet. At this point, I think I'm just going to lower my expectations because I don't want to be disappointed. At least the upside is that there won't be negativity surrounding the show once it airs?

I really hope Koreans will separate drama from reality one day but till then I will zip my mouth.

Tbh I'm glad that he dropped out - I don't think I would've felt comfortable seeing him in any loveline, let alone with someone who was a former abuse victim.

The victim may have dropped the charges at SM's request but she still testified that sexual harassment took place and nothing in SM's statement refutes that there was indeed inappropriate physical contact.

As far as I'm concerned, any arguments on whether it was a 'misunderstanding', or over which body part was groped, or if he was too drunk for any intent, are irrelevant. He's still a grown man who chose to over-imbibe to the point that he loss control and touched a woman in such a way that she felt uncomfortable enough to make a police report.

All I hope is that she's doing better and that he takes this opportunity to seek help for his drinking problem.

I really liked Onew in Descendants of the Sun. I think he did justice to his role. I hope Onew gets more meaty roles later. Keep up the good work, Onew!

I just hope he takes this as a wake up call to get his drinking situation in check.

Certainly an unfortunate situation for everyone involved.

I like the idea of Ye-eun's character develops independently. She has the belle epoque girls to help her too so why not focus on that.

I hope the staff won't look for a replacement for the love interest instead just focus on the girls.

Ok can we get an actor instead of an idol to replace him.

I wonder who will end up getting cast? Could be a really good chance for a rookie actor to shine! In my dreams, I'd love to see Kang Haneul or Lee Won Geun in this role :D Or, if they really want to cast another idol, maybe Jinyoung?

It better with him and this drama. His acting is so so overacting in DotS.

This is really sad. I uses to be a huge Shinee fan particularly onew (not so much now since my interested in kpop has since waned). Although I don't condone his drinking, I do feel bad for the guy. He used to be a really sweet guy during variety shows back when Shinee was still really active. Then I heard rumors of him getting depressed and having drinking problems. I was happy for him when he started getting small acting roles. But I'm afraid that with this latest scandal and getting booted off the show, it's likely that he will get even more depressed. I hope that we don't getting another *gulp* Chester Bennington (RIP).

I read that even though she dropped the charges, Onew is still being prosecuted because there were eyewitnesses, so her signing the SM paperwork didn't stop the case. I assumed he left the show because it's an ongoing case that has been referred to a prosecutor. As far as I have read, it is still very much a thing.

On other note i feel bad for the production team and other actors as they lost some precious material and might have to film it again,time and money wasted...

Yay for Lee Yoojin as replacement!

Really hope it will be stepping stone for him and wish him did it the best!

What I read was that he was in a group of friends drinking, quite possibly encouraged to go well over his limit, thats what young men and increasingly women do silly but common. He was said to be falling down drunk and clutched at anything to safe himself. His friends apologised to the female, who presumably accepted it the first time, but it happened a second time. His friends should have removed him, so should the management. The female is also milking the situation in the knowledge he is a SHINee member - all the more reason why he should have been properly chaperoned.

Jeez.
These comments make me laugh. Why comment if you don't know the entire story? It's like you're digging your own grave. Having followed the entire story I can say that what happened was an accident. He was with his friend who was celebrating his birthday and he got dead drunk and while trying to not fall over, he grabbed a "pole" which turned out to be this woman. While it was a natural instinct to grab onto something, I don't blame the victim for feeling awkward, I mean I would too, if someone grabbed your leg. But it's not nice to blame people without knowing what really happened.
And gosh, what's with the victim shaming. That's just plain wrong.
Onew wanted to continue with the investigation because he can't remember what happened either. I think that's what genuine sense is.
Stop blaming people and accept his decision. He feels uncomfortable about what happened and he doesn't maybe want to come in front of the media in the heat of the moment.
Let it go. He's already feeling bad.

Onew's scandal is so ironic, considering his character in the drama... :/