Series of scandals may hurt hallyu
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Girls’ Generation has been a nine-member group since its debut in 2007, but that changed after Jessica’s abrupt departure last week. / Korea Times file
Actor Lee Byung-hun
Jessica, former member of Girls’ Generation
By Baek Byung-yeul
A series of scandals has tainted the image of some hallyu leaders in the past few weeks.
Jessica’s sensational departure from the formerly nine-member Girls’ Generation and misconduct of movie star Lee Byung-hun and K-pop singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong have stunned fans within and outside Korea.
Some critics are showing concerns their personal troubles may dent the global popularity of Korean entertainers.
“Celebrities should be aware that their conduct can bring down the popularity of Korean entertainers,” said culture critic Bae Kook-nam.
He underlined the importance of organizing the management system of celebrities, mentioning Jessica, a member of popular K-pop girl band Girls’ Generation, who made headlines for her abrupt dismissal from the band.
“It is not like the past when they only need to focus on managing their domestic fans. If these sorts of scandals kept popping up, they can lead to a worse outcome, which may diminish hallyu’s fan base in the world,” Bae said.
The 25-year-old singer and her management company SM Entertainment created media frenzy when the company officially announced Sept. 30 that she was ousted from the band because she put her fashion business ahead of Girls’ Generation.
Jessica released a statement on the following day that she was forced to choose between the band and her business.
The culture critic advised Girls’ Generation not to follow in the footsteps of KARA, the girl group whose popularity plunged after undergoing lineup change earlier this year.
“Girls’ Generation should be cautious and need to take a measure to console their fans because this kind of abrupt change in the lineup could make them turn their fans back to the singers,” he said. “People in entertainment business should remember that this is not about selling products. It is about speaking to the heart with cultural contents.”
Sense of betrayal
Jessica’s departure has shocked the fans and the entire K-pop scene.
“No matter what happened to them, I, as a fan who began listening to their songs since their debut in 2007, kind of feel betrayed,” said Hyun Sung-il, an avid fan of the girl band. “I feel terrible as I thought all nine girls would go together for good.”
Lee, 44, who has been featured in many films including Hollywood’s action flick, “G.I. Joe” series, was involved in a sexual harassment scandal, becoming the subject of blackmail by two women. The case has hurt the actor’s reputation as an Asian heartthrob.
According to prosecutors, the two women, who were identified as Kim Da-hee, 20, a member of girl band GLAM and her model friend Lee Ji-yeon, 24, attempted to blackmail the star actor, threatening that they would release a lewd video that allegedly included footages of Lee making a sexually-disturbing remarks. Then the two women requested him to give five billion won ($4.7 million) in cash, and upon receiving the threat, Lee, who eventually turned down the request, reported the case to the police. The two women were detained on charges of conspiracy.
Though it turned out that Lee is a victim of blackmailing, the scandal that he had such an incident with two young women was enough to let their fans down, particularly since it only been about a year since he married actress Lee Min-jung.
Popular K-pop singer and actor Kim, who rose to stardom through 2009 television drama “Boys over Flower,” alleged abused his ex-girlfriend. The case became known after the 28-year-old’s former girl friend filed an assault complaint against Kim in August, accusing him of having beaten her several times at Kim’s home in southern Seoul for two months from May to July.
“I cannot understand a person who abuses others in any case,” said Choi Ji-min, once avid fan of Kim before she knew the assaulting case.
“Given that Kim had been the heartthrob of many people through his adorable roles in dramas and romantic songs, it is absolutely inexcusable” she added.
Kim pleaded that he was not guilty of the charge, saying the dispute was only “a little physical fight,” but it evoked public indignation after his ex-girlfriend submitted her medical certificate to the police, proving that she was hurt, suffering from bruises and broken ribs.
That consequently led him to admit his assault charges and make official apology to her. Although the ex-girlfriend withdrew the charges filed against him in response, Kim has become a subject of ridicule and hatred among public.