LEO, the 20-year-old pre-debut member of HYBE's upcoming boy group (currently labeled "Trainee A") who sparked outrage with misogynistic rap lyrics last December, announced his decision to leave the agency on Friday.
The Sydney native shocked his fellow trainees by tearfully sharing his decision in the midst of an evaluation filmed for "A-Road," a YouTube docuseries following the process of Trainee A's pre-debut journey. He cited mental health struggles in the months since his verse from an inter-agency rap battle—which included lyrics encouraging violence toward women—caused controversy.
In a video message uploaded as an "epilogue" to the episode (above), LEO apologized to his fellow trainees, and encouraged fans to continue supporting Trainee A, which carries on with six members.
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