Celebrity deaths reignite calls to curb malicious online comments, media abuse

The late actor Kim Sae-ron / Courtesy of Goldmedalist

The death of the late actor Kim Sae-ron at the age of 25 has once again brought attention to the ongoing issue of malicious online comments and irresponsible media coverage targeting public figures.

As South Korea grapples with a string of celebrity deaths linked to such harassment, experts stress the urgent need for societal reflection and stronger protection measures.

Since her driving while intoxicated (DWI) incident in May 2022, Kim had been bombarded with hateful online comments. Despite stepping away from the public eye, she continued to face criticism every time she posted on social media.

Social media users scrutinized even her part-time café job, hobbies and birthday gatherings, often questioning the sincerity of her self-reflection regarding her DWI.

The media also played a role, with many outlets amplifying the negativity by quoting hateful comments or reporting unverified claims from YouTubers and anonymous online users.

Sensational headlines designed to get clicks created a vicious cycle, with inflammatory content going viral and prompting more malicious comments towards her.

"Some online trolls feel validated when their comments get media attention, which only encourages them to continue," said Kim Heon-sik, a professor of social and cultural studies at Jungwon University.

The civic group Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media released a statement condemning the media's role in Kim's case on Tuesday. "The same outlets that fueled public animosity against Kim with sensational reports are now hypocritically blaming YouTubers and anonymous commenters. This cycle of media-driven character assassination must stop," the group said.

History repeating itself

Kim's death is not an isolated case. In 2019, K-pop stars Sulli and Goo Ha-ra both died by suicide after enduring relentless online harassment.

Sulli faced intense criticism for her candid social media posts, with the term "Sullin-up" (referring to her Instagram uploads) becoming an online shorthand for attacking her content. Similarly, Goo Ha-ra endured the pressure of invasive media coverage.

After their deaths, lawmakers proposed the "Sulli Act," which aimed to implement real-name verification for online users. However, the bill was eventually rejected by the National Assembly.

A similar proposal under the Telecommunications Act, aimed at curbing the spread of malicious comments, was also shelved when the parliamentary session ended.

The 2023 death of actor Lee Sun-kyun, who was under investigation for alleged drug use, further highlighted the media's role in fueling public scrutiny.

KBS, South Korea's national broadcaster, aired a transcript of the actor's private conversations — information unrelated to the investigation — drawing widespread criticism.

"If such invasive coverage had been limited to tabloid outlets, it might have been less damaging," said Shim Seok-tae, a journalism professor at Semyung University. "But when even major broadcasters chase clicks by publishing character-assassinating stories, the consequences become severe."

The late actor Lee Sun-kyun, who passed away on Dec. 27, 2023 / Yonhap

Being a celebrity doesn’t mean enduring abuse

Experts emphasize that societal attitudes must evolve to break the cycle of celebrity harassment.

"Our society seems to believe that celebrities should be publicly humiliated whenever they make mistakes — as if it's part of the price of fame," said Professor Kim. "If the media continues to follow this pattern just for views and clicks, more tragedies will follow."

Cultural critic Hwang Jin-mi noted that Kim Sae-ron's treatment was particularly harsh due to her gender. "When Kim caused a drunk driving accident, the media coverage became almost predatory. Male actors who committed similar offenses were not scrutinized to the same extent," Hwang said.

While major domestic portals like Naver and Daum disabled comment sections on entertainment articles in 2020, online harassment has since shifted to social media platforms and online communities, where malicious comments continue unchecked.

"Kim Sae-ron was exposed to complex, emotionally challenging roles from a young age — she portrayed victims of child abuse, kidnapping and wartime sexual violence," said cultural critic Kim Seong-su. "Our society failed to provide her with mental health support as she transitioned into adulthood."

He said that instead of fixating on her drunk driving accident, the media should have focused on why the former child actor received no support during her distress.

"To prevent similar tragedies in the future, we need to consider new measures to protect celebrities from malicious comments and damaging media coverage," Kim said.

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