Hyunjin wrote a handwritten apology to Stray Kids in relation with the allegations of bullying by some classmates. On February 26, a letter defending Hyunjin was published by Hyunjin’s then teacher. Here is what Hyunjin’s teacher’s letter says:
“Hello, I was the teacher of the class of 2016 graduates at the school where Stray Kids’ Hyunjin graduated.
The reason I wrote this is because I felt that the controversy the students including Hwang Hyunjinhad at that time was unfortunate. I was worried that even my memories were true, so before writing my letter I also spoke with many teachers working at the school.
There were many students with particularly competitive and challenging personalities in Hyunjin’s second year of middle school class. Therefore, tension was felt throughout the classroom. The children were at an immature point in their lives, but due to other factors, they chose to attack and overcome each other rather than understand each other’s mistakes.
Most of the kids in that class were affected by their classmates. I remember they weren’t comfortable in expressing themselves. Hyunjin also grew up in this environment and I believe he has personal problems. I believe their words and actions can therefore be harsh and overly sensitive.
Hyunjin may have hurt others with immature words and deeds, but her accusations of bullying are an unfortunate exaggeration. Admitting his mistakes, apologizing to people he hurt, and apologizing is something Hyunjin has to do. That said, it’s too cruel to blame Hyunjin entirely. All the teachers I called and spoke to said that it was unfair for Hyunjin to be branded as a bad person.
As adolescents, I feel sorry for all middle school sophomores who suffer emotional wounds from their time in a brutal environment. They were all my dear students. As someone who has taught them for more than 3 years, I am sending this letter in the hope that none of them will be harmed by the memories of that period. “
