ATLAS member Muon has apologised over unnamed incident that has earned him financial punishment from his label XOXO Entertainment.
In a statement on social media, the 21-year-old says: “I am sorry for what I did, and I know I cannot go back to fix it.”
“I apologise for disappointing everyone…I will not make excuses for what happened, but I will fix and improve myself,” he writes.
Muon does not make mention of any incident. However, days before he issued the statement, video footage emerged on social media showing two men at what appears to be the side of a stage and using their vapes. Vaping is illegal in Thailand.
Some netizens identified the younger of the two as Muon, which stirred up fierce debate on X, where it was posted. Some users condemned the behaviour, pointing out the laws surrounding vaping, as well as the harmful effects.
ChaPop has seen the footage, but has not been able to verify it.
In his statement, Muon says: “I feel very sorry for what happened. From now on, I will be more careful in my life.”
“Please give me a chance to improve myself,” he adds.
ATLAS’ label XOXO Entertainment has also responded to the controversy. Without specifying the incident, the company said it had warned Muon and was “not indifferent” to what was happening.
“After speaking with the artiste, the label issued a warning and imposed financial punishment according to (its) regulations. The money (collected) will be used to help society,” states XOXO Entertainment, which did not elaborate on the financial penalties it imposed.
Both XOXO and Muon also apologised for a delay in issuing an apology – it took about five or six days since the social media footage emerged.
After the statements were released, ATLAS fans rallied round Muon, acknowledging that he had “made a mistake” and urging him to “move on and change”.
However, other fans railed against XOXO for what they felt was poor crisis communications. Some felt the label should have acknowledged and specified what the incident was, given that it had been the subject of chatter for several days.
Others wondered why it did not issue the statement with an official letterhead and in two languages – as was the case with other labels.
ATLAS’ other members had also not commented on the matter. The group is due to release their comeback single ฉันคนเก่า (Let Me Try Again) on 25 September.
