All eight members of popular J-Pop boy group timelesz have issued a joint apology after one member’s on-air behaviour sparked controversy and viewer backlash.
Shinozuka Taiki, one of the group’s newest members, joined timelesz (formerly Sexy Zone) on February 15, 2025. The group originally debuted in 2011 with the single Sexy Zone and currently promotes as an eight-member act under STARTO Entertainment.
On the November 18 broadcast of Mezamashi TV, 23-year-old Taiki appeared as a presenter. Near the end of his segment, he performed a controversial gag that viewers found inappropriate. Though the show did not elaborate on the nature of the gag, public reaction was swift.
Shortly after, Mezamashi TV released an apology acknowledging discomfort caused by the incident, “We apologise for making viewers uncomfortable. We will continue working to create a programme that everyone can watch with peace of mind.”
On November 21, timelesz released an official joint statement addressing the controversy without naming Taiki directly. The members described it as “one member’s inappropriate behavior” that was “careless and lacking in judgment.”
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They emphasised that the group would take accountability collectively and work to prevent similar issues in the future. All eight members signed the apology, which was posted on STARTO Entertainment’s website.
Taiki also issued an individual apology through Instagram. He expressed remorse and shared that he had spent the past few days discussing the situation with the group. “These past few days, I’ve spent time talking with the other members and reflecting on myself. Moving forward, I’ll do my best to rebuild trust and approach our activities with sincerity every day,” he wrote.
Despite the backlash, timelesz will continue their scheduled activities without interruption.
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