Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Trot singer Lim Young-woong under fire for violating no-smoking rule
Singer Lim Young-woong / Courtesy of Mulgogi Music
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Trot singer Lim Young-woong has come under fire for violating a no-smoking rule and not wearing a mask in a public area.
On Tuesday, the local media outlet, Sports Kyunghyang, disclosed photos of Lim smoking inside a building that was designated as a smoke-free zone, during a break while filming TV Chosun's variety show, “Ppong School.”
The singer was also photographed walking around without a mask when celebrities and production staff are required to wear masks to avoid COVID-19 infection.
The photos have fueled outrage, as the country continues to take heightened precautions when the daily number of infections remains in the triple digits. It has been reported that a citizen filed a civil complaint to Mapo District, saying that it should slap a fine on the singer for violating the National Health Promotion Act.
“Lim Young-woong is a well-known celebrity, so his influence on society cannot be ignored. I believe celebrities should behave more carefully because adolescents easily follow their behavior,” the citizen wrote.
The entertainment industry is on the alert, with actors, singers and comedians testing positive for COVID-19. Recently, actors Shin Sung-rok, Son Jun-ho, K-pop boy band D-CRUNCH members Hyun-wook and O.V., comedian Kwon Hyuk-soo, as well as athletes-turned-celebrities Park Se-ri and Lee Yong-dae, tested positive for COVID-19.
Lim apologized over the controversy, saying, “I'm truly sorry for the trouble caused. I acknowledge the pain and distress caused to many. I should have acted responsibly in every moment, but I wasn't good enough. I will reflect on myself and try to become a mature person.”
The singer shot to stardom after winning TV Chosun's smash hit audition show, “Mr. Trot,” in 2020.