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Several prominent figures in the South Korean entertainment industry have faced serious allegations and convictions for s*xual crimes. Recently, Taeil, a former member of boy band NCT, was removed from the group by SM Entertainment following accusations of a s*xual crime.
Previously, Squid Game actor O Yeong-su was convicted of s*xual misconduct. Former K-pop idol Jung Joon-young was released in 2024 after serving five years in prision for sharing illicitly filmed s*x videos and participating in a gang r*pe.
Several other K-pop idols and actors have lost their stardom due to allegations of s*xual crime.
Note: The article reflects the author's opinion and is listed in no order.
Trigger warning: This article contains references to s*xual abuse
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Taeil and other Korean celebrities who have been accused of s*xual crime
These celebrities are -
- Taeil
- O Yeong-su
- Jung Joon-young
- Seungri
- Yoo Ah-in
1) Taeil
Taeli, also known as Moon Tae-il, was a part of the boy band NCT, the original entity in SM Entertainment’s expansive NCT universe, which includes various sub-units such as NCT 127 and NCT Dream.
SM Entertainment, the agency behind K-pop acts such as Aespa and Riize, has announced that Taeil has been removed from the group following allegations of an unspecified s*xual crime.
According to the agency, Moon Tae-il has been cooperating with the ongoing police investigation. The SM Entertaintment said in a statement:
"We have recently learned that Taeil has been accused of a criminal case related to a s*xual offense. While assessing the facts related to this matter, we recognized the severity of the issue and determined that he can no longer continue team activities."
Read more: How old is Taeil? SM Entertainment announces withdrawal of the singer from NCT
2) O Yeong-su
In 2022, veteran actor O Yeong-su, of Squid Game fame, was accused of s*xual misconduct. This 79-year-old actor reportedly committed this crime in 2017 when he was in a rural area for a theatre performance.
He allegedly touched his female co-actor improperly. O Yeong-su was eventually given an eight-month suspended prison sentence and suspension from the industry for 2 years. Additionaly, he was mandated to have 40 hours of attendance at a s*xual violence treatment programme.
The actor has maintained his innocence.
3) Jung Joon-young
Former K-pop idol Jung Joon-young, who was convicted of a string of s*xual crimes, was released from Mokpo Prison in South Jeolla province in March 2024 after serving a five-year sentence. Jung's legal troubles began in 2019 when it was alleged that he secretly filmed and shared s*x videos without the consent of the women involved.
During the investigation of this case, it was discovered that Jung Joon-young and the other four accused r*ped an intoxicated woman at a nightclub in Gangnam in 2016.
In 2019, Jung Joon-young expressed remorse for his crimes. He wrote in an apology letter:
"I write to you in shame and guilt. I, Jung Joon Young, once again realized the seriousness of this situation after returning to Korea on March 12. Although it’s already late, I apologize through this letter to all the people who showed an interest in me and gave me a second chance."
He further added:
"In regards to what is being said in relation to me, I admit to all my crimes. I filmed women without their consent and shared it in a social media chatroom, and while I did so I didn’t feel a great sense of guilt. As a public figure, it was an unethical act worthy of criticism, and such a thoughtless action."
4) Seungri
Lee Seung-hyun, better known by his stage name Seungri, is a former member of boy band BigBang. In 2019, he was accused of a number of s*xual crimes. After a long investigation, in 2020, he was indicted for arranging illegal s*xual services for business investors between 2015 and 2016. He was also accused of embezzling funds from his nightclub and violating laws related to illegal overseas gambling.
The former idol's case was transferred to a military court after he joined army in lieu of South Korea's compulsory enlistment. He was initailly sentenced to a three-year prison term with a fine of1.15 billion won (US$970,000). A few months later, the prison term was reduced by reduced to 18 months. He was released on February 9, 2023.
The Burning Sun Scandal
Seungri's name was at the center of the Burning Sun scandal. The Burning Sun scandal, named after Seungri's night club, disclosed that a number of entertaintment industry figures and high ranking police officers were involved in crimes like prostitution, making and sharing of illegal sex videos, gambling, and physical assault.
A man who cliamed to be a VIP member of the high-profile Burning Sun club told South Korean broadcaster MBC, that the club staff sent him a photo of an unconsious woman and said that he could take advange of her.
He also added:
"A few days later, the staffer sent me another text message with a video clip showing an intoxicated woman being r*ped. He told me the women did not know they were being filmed because they were drugged."
Read more: "This is a bit too much"— Fans divided as former BIGBANG's T.O.P allegedly blocks fans for tagging him on the group's anniversary celebration posts
5) Yoo Ah-in
In July this year, actor Yoo Ah-in, was accused by a 30-year-old man for s*xually assaulting him while he was asleep at night. The alleged victim claimed that the actor s*xually assaulted him on July 14 this year when he was sleeping at an apartment, which neither belonged to the victim or the actor.
On August 28, Yoo Ah In was summoned by Yongsan Police Station for a 90-minute questioning session regarding these allegations of s*xual crime. The specific details of the case remain undisclosed.
Yoo Ah-in's lawyer, Bang Jeong Hyeon told the press:
“The claims in the criminal complaint involving Yoo Ah In are not true. Additionally, we ask that you refrain from unnecessary speculation regarding his personal life.”
The recent convictions of high-profile figures in the South Korean entertainment industry highlights a troubling pattern of s*xual crime. These cases underscore the need for accountability and stricter measures to protect victims.
