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Auto-complete keywords fan vulgar rumors, draw protests
On Naver, typing in "Koo Ha-ra" in the search box shows a list of auto-complete keywords related to the K-pop star, including the controversy involving a sex video allegedly filmed by her former boyfriend. Capture from Naver.
By Ko Dong-hwan
By Ko Dong-hwan
Koo Ha-ra
When police found that the former boyfriend of K-pop star Koo Ha-ra filmed the couple having sex and sent it to her via a mobile text-messaging app, the discovery turned into breaking news and prompted search words on Korean portal sites like “Koo Ha-ra video” and “Koo Ha-ra sex.”
The words went viral and became auto-complete keywords on the sites ― a series of words automatically listed under a certain search word as related terms.
The danger of the auto-complete keywords, in the case of the former member of the now defunct KARA, is that those unaware of the issue who searched her name can see the controversial words listed. The chance then is that they will start looking for the video and, at least, remember the star by those search words.
As of Tuesday afternoon, one can type in “Koo Ha-ra” on Naver and see words like “Koo Ha-ra's boyfriend,” “Koo Ha-ra physical violence,” “Koo Ha-ra video” and “Koo Ha-ra revenge” listed.
Several online communities have raised the problem of auto-complete keywords in support of the star. They claim they cause “secondary damage” to Koo, who has been called the victim of revenge porn.
One of the communities, whose members are mainly female, said Koo, 27, is a victim of sexual manipulation and yet, because she is a celebrity, helplessly witnessed auto-complete keywords related to the video.
The groups recently staged demonstrations in Seoul's Hyewha theater district in Jongno-gu, encouraging passers-by to demand that portal operators tighten controls on keywords.
Female fitting model Yang Ye-won, who claimed in a YouTube post in May that she was sexually harassed by some 20 men at work, also faced automated keywords like “Yang Ye-won photos” or “Yang Ye-won buttocks” on portal sites.
Automated keywords potentially harming a reputation and image could be reported to the portal site and further discussed with the Korea Internet Self-governance Organization, according to an expert cited by Munhwa Ilbo. But the expert said a word with more than one specific reference, like “video,” cannot be deleted because the reference isn't necessarily limited to a controversial subject.
Koo's boyfriend, identified as Choi Jong-bum, a hair stylist, told police on Sept. 13 she hurt him at her home in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, after he suggested they split. Choi has taken Koo to court over his alleged injuries.
Koo counter-sued on Sept. 27 for threatening her with the video. Police searched Choi's home, workplace and vehicle.