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The sexual objectification of women (and increasingly men) in the South Korean entertainment industry or really, in just about any entertainment industry is certainly nothing new or even shocking. KPop fans in particular have sadly been largely desensitized to issues involving the inappropriate acts against females, and the pervasive influence of so-called “uncle fans” in driving the market for girl groups is hardly shocking and indeed even expected. But consumers of KPop would do well to remember that sexual misdemeanors and crime within the industry itself is a reality that has the potential to destroy not only careers, but lives and just because we don’t see it doesn’t mean that it isn’t happening to an alarming degree.
As most people have probably heard, Open World Entertainment’s CEO, Jang Seok-woo,
was arrested last week on suspicion not only of sexually abusing female
trainees, but of coercing male idols signed to his agency to do so as
well. On April 12, the Kangnam Police Station in Seoul released a
statement saying that Jang, who had initially denied all charges levied
against him, had admitted to a portion of them being true (though
exactly which charges he admitted to was unspecified); three days later,
another statement was released confirming the worst: "Since the end of 2010, Jang has sexually harassed six female trainees
over ten times. During this time, he also forced male idol group
members from his own agency to sexually harass these trainees as well."
Police also report that they have collected testimony from several of
the victims that corroborates these allegations, including testimony
that Jang had used his power and influence in order to coerce sexual
abuse and compliance. The number of victims is now reported to have
been at least ten young women, and police now suspect that this abuse
has been taking place since 2008.
What began as a horrific story has only gotten worse, as each day seems
to bring not only more evidence of horrible and disgusting sexual crime committed against
female trainees (at least some of whom are underage), but also evidence
confirming the involvement and even supposed willing participation of
others. It was recently confirmed that the use of “aphrodisiac
substances” was involved in the abuse, implying that Jang possibly
drugged his female trainees and then ordered their abuse at the hands of
male idols. As of today, two idol group members were arrested on
suspicion of involvement in sexual harassment (though whether or not
they were willing participants or simply ordered to do so by Jang is as
of yet unconfirmed), and police have issued an arrest warrant for a male
singer in his 30s who, though not signed with Open World Entertainment,
has connections to the agency and is reported to have willingly taken
part in the sexual abuse. His name, along with the names of the
arrested idols, have yet to be released; however, police did confirm
that the idols in question are not members of male idol group The Boss, which were about to release a new album this month. The album release has since been canceled.
Open World Entertainment issued a statement of apology to the public for
having caused disappointment, but noticeably absent from the apology’s
text was any mention of the victims or the abuse that they have
suffered. The apology did, however, ask the press to refrain from
making speculations on the involvement of any of the agency’s artists,
who have suffered from the wrongful accusations the media has hurled at
them.
The prolonged sexual abuse of these young women evokes memories of the late actress Jang Ja-yeon,
who committed suicide at age 26 in 2009 due to depression that was
likely linked to the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her
agent. According to her suicide note, Ja-yeon’s management forced her to
have sex with a significant number of higher-ups in the entertainment
industry.
Open World Entertainment scandal has undoubtedly demonstrated, sexual
crime is a reality of the Korean entertainment industry, and it could
likely be more pervasive than we as fans would like to believe. Women who aspire to work in entertainment should not,
under any circumstance, believe that subjecting themselves to sexual
harassment or abuse is just part and parcel of climbing the ladder to
fame. I sincerely hope that this case serves as a wake-up call and
provides further impetus for South Korea to protect its celebrities from
abuse in all forms.
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