Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
As the Me Too movement continues to gain momentum in Korea, six more prominent men have been named: Han Myung Goo, Yun Ho Jin, Oh Tae Suk, Ko Un, Ha Yong Bu, and Bae Bien U.
——
Actor Han Myung Goo was recently accused of sexual harassment in an anonymous online post.
On February 23, an anonymous post was shared on DC Inside’s Play and Musical gallery that disclosed several accusations against Han Myung Goo. Though the writer did not write out the actor’s full name, they used his initials and stated, “He would sleep at his female students’ homes, and he would regularly commit acts of sexual harassment like forcefully kissing them [his students].”
In response, the actor released an apology and admitted to sexual harassment.
Han Myung Goo released an official apology on February 25, in which he stated, “I want to deeply, deeply apologize to the students I have hurt. I apologize to Far East University and its students. I have also caused so much trouble to the Seoul Institute of the Arts, who trust me and brought me on as a visiting professor last year. From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to the university and students who have been left shocked by my erroneous actions.” He continued to say, “I have caused a great deal of pain and hurt with my wrong actions and inability to control myself. I have done wrong, and I am gravely reflecting on my wrongdoings.” Han Myung Goo concluded by stating that he would be stepping down from his position as a professor, as well as from his upcoming projects. He stated, “I will reflect on my wrongdoings every day. I apologize to everyone who was hurt by my actions.”
Definitely reads like it was a pattern of behavior and he’s admitting it to get out in front.
——
Yun Ho Jin — a director, a producer, and CEO of ACOM Arts Communications — was accused of sexual assault and sexual harassment. While he released an apology, the victims were not satisfied, saying that he was only doing so to make it go away, identify them, and blacklist them.
ACOM Arts Communications CEO Yun Ho-jin, a renowned musical producer and director of “The Last Empress” and “Hero,” apologized to alleged victims, saying he would offer apology in a manner that satisfied them and asked them to call him in person. But the women who raised allegations online without revealing their names, claimed this was a ruse to identify them so they could be “permanently removed” from theatrical circles. Many victims posted online comments alleging he touched them in his car and after work get-togethers. Yun said he would postpone the media briefing for his new work “Wednesdays,” which deals with the agony of former sex slaves under Japanese occupation during WWII. The postponement follows fierce criticism that he was at the height of hypocrisy for pretending to understand the victims when he carried out the very crimes for which the World War II victims had suffered throughout their lives.
Yeah, the theory of the victims sounds about right.
——
Director Oh Tae Suk, who is also a professor at Seoul Institute Of The Arts, is facing multiple sexual harassment and sexual assault allegations as well.
An actress said Oh, a professor at Seoul Institute of the Arts, touched her thighs and genitals under her clothes under the table at a restaurant in Daehangno, Seoul.
More and more came forward against him, and he responded by not showing up.
Since [then], other actors have made accusations against Oh online. Oh, whose production of “The Tempest” was running until yesterday at Namsan Gugakdang in central Seoul, has not responded. An official from the theater said Oh stopped coming since Tuesday.
That’s … one way of dealing with it.
——
Poet Ko Un, regular candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature, is also under fire for sexual harassment, though he has not technically been named.
Suspicions of sexual harassment arose when a female writer wrote a poem, explaining that the story came from her own experience of being sexually harassed. The unidentified character’s details matched that of the poet Ko, although she has not confirmed it was him. He has not responded to the accusations.
That said, he is leaving the city so he isn’t a burden. For what? Who knows, right?
An official from Suwon City announced Sunday that the Ko Un Foundation had conveyed the poet’s intention to move to a different area. According to the statement, Ko Un decided to move to “not be a burden” to the city.
He also resigned from his post as a professor at Dankook University.
Ko, who has been a professor at Dankook University, told the school Monday that he will resign from the post.
Seems like not a coincidence.
——
Ha Yong Bu, a traditional dancer that the government named as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Properties, has been accused of rape and is under investigation.
The Cultural Heritage Administration said it had stopped providing a subsidy of more than 1.3 million won ($1,100) a month to Ha Yong-bu, a state-designated intangible cultural heritage, following a woman’s allegation last week that he raped her in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, 10 years ago. If Ha is convicted following law enforcement authorities’ investigation, corresponding administrative measures will be imposed on him, the organization said.
Korea Tourism Organization said Ha had been removed from a heritage list that received subsidies from municipal governments.
A rare individual that is facing legal consequences.
——
Photographer Bae Bien U had his art studio shut down following sexual harassment allegations.
Suncheon City, South Jeolla Province, shut down an art studio for Bae Bien-u, a professional photographer, following allegations that he sexually harassed many female students and colleagues. The city said his work displayed in the studio would be removed soon and that state support would be rescinded. Bae, professor at Seoul Institute of the Arts, is a globally recognized figure for his themes concentrated on pine trees, with a reputation of “capturing the characteristic sentiments of Korea.”
No word on details other than that.
——
This only seems to be spreading, which is obviously frightening on some level, but also reassuring to see. Because I think we all knew stuff like this was happening, but it was just kept concealed, and at least now it’s coming out in the open.
