ASTRO member Moonbin's agency announces relocation of late idol's memorial, sparks controversy

ASTRO member Moonbin died by suicide on April 19 this year. His agency Fantagio's recent announcement regarding the permanent memorial area for late ASTRO member Moonbin has sparked controversy among fans. The decision to relocate the memorial from Gukcheongsa Temple to Seonunsa Temple has drawn criticism, with fans expressing concerns over the agency's intentions and the accessibility of the new site.

Fantagio decides to relocate Moonbin's memorial

On Monday, Fantagio declared the immediate closure of Moon Space, the memorial area for Moonbin, located initially in Gukcheongsa Temple. The relocation to Seonunsa Temple, known for its remote location surrounded by forest, raised doubts among fans about the agency's connection with the new site. Some fans questioned the decision to move cherished objects and urged the removal of Moonbin's belongings from display at Seonunsa Temple.

How did the fans react to the news of relocation?

Fans took to social media, trending "Stop the exhibition," expressing concerns that the relocation might be perceived as an attempt by Fantagio to profit from Moonbin's tragic passing. They also expressed concerns, particularly due to Seonunsa Temple's distant location, approximately four hours outside of Seoul. Speculations about turning the memorial into a profitable museum further fueled discontent among fans.

What did Fantagio say about the controversy?

On December 3, Fantagio posted an official statement on the fan cafe, reiterating that there is no financial agreement or contract with Seonunsa. The company shared that executives and employees dedicated several days to prepare the memorial space out of love for Moonbin. They also clarified that the move aimed to address safety concerns for winter visitors and to enshrine an eternal memorial plaque for Moonbin. Fantagio expressed intent to pursue legal action against false rumours and urged fans not to distort their commitment to the late idol.

The statement read, "Fantagio has not entered into any kind of agreement or contract with Seonunsa and has no financial interest whatsoever. The reason for relocating the Moon Space from Gukcheongsa Temple to Seonunsa Temple was due to safety concerns for visitors in the winter and for enshrining a permanent memorial tablet for Moonbin. We decided to relocate because Gukcheongsa Temple is a branch temple belonging to Seonunsa Temple."