(UPDATE) Rapper Ravi has left the K-pop boy band VIXX as he faces allegations of trying to avoid South Korea's mandatory military service by providing false medical documents, according to reports.

VIXX's label and management company, Jellyfish Entertainment, issued a statement on Tuesday, revealing the 30-year-old artist's departure from the group, based on a report by K-pop news portal Soompi.

"We sincerely thank the fans who support VIXX, and we inform you of member Ravi’s departure from VIXX," Jellyfish said in the statement, as per the Soompi report.

"After careful discussion between Ravi and the agency, it was decided that he will leave the team as of today," the company said.

"We deeply apologize for causing trouble to the fans who support VIXX," it added.

Earlier in the day, Ravi, whose real name is Kim Won-sik, attended a trial on allegations that he violated South Korea's military service law.

In South Korea, all able-bodied young men under the age of 30 must perform about two years of military service, mainly due to the fact that the country remains technically at war with North Korea.

Ravi has been accused of hiring a military broker, who supposedly helped him show false symptoms of epilepsy during a military examination, which allowed him to serve as a social service agent instead of serving as a soldier, according to reports.

On Tuesday's trial, prosecutors reportedly requested a two-year prison sentence for Ravi and others accused of hiring the broker.

The rapper also took to Instagram to post an apology letter.

"I was the only artist in the company generating profits, and the implementation dates for the contracts that were signed before COVID-19 were being postponed without certainty, so with the burden of contract cancellation charges, I was desperate to delay my military service," Ravi explained in his post, which was translated into English by Soompi.

"With desperation, I made a foolish decision, and when my worries about the company and the contract issues were resolved, I voluntarily registered for public service and was carrying out my service since October of last year," he said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RAVI / 라비 (@ravithecrackkidz)

Ravi apologized to epilepsy patients and their families "who must have been hurt by this self-justified wrong decision I made," and his fans.

The artist also explained that he decided to leave VIXX "so that no further damage would be given to the team members."

"I am sincerely grateful to all the members who have been with me for the long period of 11 years, and I feel apologetic beyond words," he said.

Ravi debuted in 2012 under Jellyfish Entertainment as a member of VIXX, a group known for the unique concepts and storytelling weaved into its music releases.

In 2019, Ravi left Jellyfish and established his own record label, but remained a part of VIXX.

Originally a six-piece act, Hongbin left VIXX in 2020. With Ravi's departure, the group has now been trimmed into a quartet composed of N, Leo, Ken and Hyuk.

For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the Hallyu Corner microsite.

RELATED VIDEO

Watch more News on iWantTFC