- By Swati Singh
- Mon, 20 May 2024 11:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Burning Sun scandal, also referred to as Burning Sun gate, unfolded in 2019 in Seoul, South Korea, capturing widespread attention due to its involvement of numerous celebrities, including K-pop idols from popular groups, alongside police officials. The scandal revolved around allegations of sex crimes, which compounded the existing issue of molka, a term in Korean referring to the online dissemination of nonconsensual videos depicting sexual acts involving women. The scandal not only shocked the public but also became a contentious topic for political debate, with different parties debating over the appropriate measures to address it.
The recent documentary by BBC has reignited interest in the significant Burning Sun scandal, once again drawing attention to the case. At the center of the scandal was a chatroom involving 10 celebrities, each playing a role in the controversy. Here, we provide a summary of each individual named in the chatroom and their involvement in the unfolding events, shedding light on the complexities of the situation.
10 Kpop Idols Named In Burning Sun Scandal
Seungri
Seungri was the mastermind and leader of the group, acting as both the boss and the brains behind the entire operation. He meticulously planned the large events and made sure to cater to important clients. To achieve this, he relied heavily on his circle of friends, enlisting their help to carry out his plans. His role was central to the operation, as he coordinated all the key activities and maintained control over the group's actions.
Jung Joon Young
Widely recognized as Seungri's right-hand man, he was the second most active participant in the infamous chatroom. Following thorough police investigations, it was revealed that he had been involved in disseminating 11 different illegally-filmed videos of women.
Yong Jun Hyung
Initially, Yong Jun Hyung vehemently denied any involvement. However, he altered his statement after chatroom receipts were made public. He asserts that he never personally filmed any content but admits to being a bystander in the chatroom.
Choi Jong Hoon
Choi Jong Hoon not only mocked women in the videos but also suggested bribing the police to cover up the group's crimes. He was later found guilty of a DUI and distributing obscene videos in the chatroom.
Roy Kim
Roy Kim denied involvement in the scandal, claiming he wasn't part of the chatroom. However, he admitted to sharing an obscene, photoshopped photo in 2016 with a group that included Jung Joon Young and Seungri.
Lee Jong Hyun
Although he was not found to have engaged in any illegal filming himself, it was discovered that he played the role of a bystander within the group. He made comments that were sexually harassing and treated women as objects. His behavior, while not involving direct filming, still contributed to the toxic and exploitative environment fostered by the group. By participating in this manner, he perpetuated the degrading treatment of women and the overall misconduct that the group was involved in.
Eddy Kim
He asserted that he was not involved in the scandal. However, he did admit to sharing an obscene photograph that he had found on the internet. Despite his claims of non-involvement, this admission indicates that he did contribute to the circulation of inappropriate content, even if his participation was limited to this single instance. His actions, therefore, still played a part in the broader context of the scandal.
Lee Cheol Woo
He encountered a situation similar to those faced by Kang In and Jung Jin Woon. Like them, he became entangled in controversy, facing allegations and scrutiny for his actions.
Kang In
Kang In was identified as a suspect by the police. However, he denied any involvement in the criminal activities, stating that he had only been part of the chatroom prior to the crimes taking place.
Jung Je Woon
His situation mirrored that of Kang In.