‘To Get Her’ cast member Riwon apologizes over past adult broadcast work

Ri-won, a cast member of "To Get Her," acknowledges past work as an adult content host. Courtesy of Wavve

Riwon, a cast member of the lesbian dating reality show "To Get Her," has publicly acknowledged her past as an adult content host and apologized for failing to disclose it to the show’s producers. She also denied accusations that she misrepresented her sexual identity.

Riwon posted a lengthy message Tuesday on her social media, addressing growing online speculation about her past work and her appearance on a show focused on same-sex relationships. “Before this causes further harm, I want to speak up and sincerely apologize,” she wrote.

She admitted to having hosted private adult broadcasts over three separate periods — between 2016 and 2018, from November 2021 to March 2022 and again from February to September 2024 — totaling about three years.

She said she also took part in six offline meal meetups, but emphasized that they were conducted without any physical contact.

“I appeared on the show without disclosing this part of my past to the producers. That was selfish, and I sincerely apologize to those who were disappointed or hurt by my actions,” she said.

Addressing questions about her sexual orientation, Riwon said, “I am a woman who loves women.” She said she first realized her sexual identity in middle school and had a serious two-and-a-half-year relationship with a woman.

Abuse by ex-boyfriend

She said that she applied for Wavve’s original series "To Get Her" as a way to reclaim her story following traumatic experiences with a former male partner. “I was subjected to threats, violence, confinement, hacking and even death threats,” she wrote.

She said that she is preparing legal action with an attorney. “It is true that I had an inappropriate broadcast history and that I was in a relationship with a man prior to filming, but I offer no excuses.”

Riwon also expressed concern about the potential harm her actions may cause the broader LGBTQ+ community.

“It breaks my heart to think that I may have fueled misconceptions. This entire situation stems from my selfishness and past mistakes. The LGBTQ+ community, the production staff and viewers are all victims. I take full responsibility.”

LGBTQ+ is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and other sexual and gender identities, such as asexual and intersex.

The show’s production company, Display Company, also released a statement the same day. “We deeply regret the concern caused by recent issues involving one of the cast members,” it said.

The producers explained that "To Get Her" cast members are selected through open calls and referrals from casting directors who understand and align with the show’s LGBTQ+ focus. They emphasized that no illegal or inappropriate methods were used during the recruitment process.

Candidates also went through three rounds of in-depth interviews. “However, we acknowledge the limitations in fully verifying every aspect of a participant’s background. We apologize for the distress this has caused to viewers,” the company said.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.