It seems our favorite thrilling fantasy K-Drama plots are actually becoming a reality. News of various criminal idols, revisiting the Burning Sun scandal, and now the startling resurface of a rape crime from decades ago is causing a stir in Korea.
The Miryang Sexual Assault Case. Koreans were in utter shock after the news of a cyber hero came to light who was revealing the identities of 44 assailants who raped a 14-year-old girl for over a year in high school. According to reports, the male students from several high schools in the Miryang area formed a “coalition” and “passed around” the victim in order to gang rape the victim numerous times. The assailants filmed the victim and threatened to spread the footage if she reported it to the police.
Horrifying to hear, it brings up a perturbing question – Can the rich and elite in Korean society get away with crimes – including celebrities? From politicians to the wealthy, it seems scandals and even crimes from a drama like Hierarchy are plausible. High school bullying is a real threat to Korean society after all. Just look at how The Glory is based on a true story.
But none of the assailants were convicted or charged for their crimes. Judges and police cited the male students were “minors with no prior crimes committed” and the court ruling also indicated “the degree of rape was not severe” and “some of the young men may have acted impulsively out of sexual curiosity or peer pressure,” as well as that “these young men have careers or education plans.” It implies we must consider merely the future of the criminals rather than the victim. A twisted narrative of blame towards the victim herself.
It was revealed most of the male students merely completed community service or went to youth detention centers for schooling. But why is this case suddenly making headlines?
Similar to Roh Bin from Killer Paradox, an unknown cyber wrecker YouTuber began leaking the identities and lives of a handful of assailants. On June 1st, a YouTube channel began uploading the identities, starting with ‘A’ and his SNS account. According to the cyber wrecker, ‘A’ worked at a famous restaurant owned by a relative and worked alongside Baek Jong Won. His Instagram was then quickly spread online, angering many netizens.
On the second day, the identity of ‘B’ was revealed. ‘B’ worked at ‘Volvo Korea’ and posted lavish things online. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ were married with children and living ordinary lives and it angered Korean society. Koreans are generally better educated than before and today’s generation is furious with how the situation was mishandled overall.
On the third day, the identity of ‘C’ was revealed, and also works at a “big name company” and was married with a daughter.
After the leak, the associated assailants were fired from their jobs and faced scrutiny in their personal lives as the channel continued to reveal their identities. However, some raised concerns that this behavior was justified and the right thing to do as well. Morality comes into question but shouldn’t justice be served even now – especially if the Korean government and justice system knew such a heinous crime was committed years ago with no consequences?
If Korea wants to actively prevent school bullying and crimes such as ‘N Room’ and Burning Sun from happening again then cleaning up the past is also just as important.
The Burning Sun scandal involved drug-fueled sexual exploitation at a nightclub in Gangnam and was also operated by former BIG BANG member Seungri and famous singer Jung Joon Young‘s – who each sold prostitutes for money and business deals, engaged in sexual assault and illegal filming and distribution of date rape videos, and drug abuse. It was all only leaked after one member of the chat room reported it after getting into a fight with security and police over a girl at the club. Who knows how long these disturbing acts could have gone on for. Perhaps if the Miryang case had proper verdicts and legal consequences, the Burning Sun Scandal could’ve been handled more properly or prevented.
While drugs are often sensationalized and lead to harsher prison statements and end people’s careers, such as actor Lee Sun Kyun who took his own life after being caught smoking marijuana at an entertainment bar with a hostess, it seems rape, drunk driving, and sex crimes are overlooked for the famous. Even Lee Seung Gi’s family is currently under fire for high market stock manipulation but has yet to see any legal punishment and was found not guilty at first. Now this case too is being revisited.
>> Op-ed: How Serious Are Drug Scandals In Korea?
Seungri parties and maintains his celebrity status in Southeast Asia while roaming free in Korea with no legal repercussions. Jung Joon Young, who even has a history of sexual assault cases 3 years prior to Burning Sun, is still freely living among society as well. He is a repeat offender but still keeps his status. Perhaps their punishments should be revisited just like the Miryang case is now?
Although they both can’t appear on television or work in their respective careers, is that really a punishment? They still live comfortably unlike the victims. The lack of punishment and prevention just maintains the cycle of the elite living unpunished and unrepentant. It allows criminals to secure living like the 44 men of the Miryang Rape Case – faces blurred and identities kept safe.
This ripple effect can cause anyone wealthy to get away with other crimes. Younger generations born into wealthy families might mimic this behavior. What we see on screen in K-Dramas are the headlines we can see tomorrow. Both cases further the insensitivity towards women and sexual crimes. Revisiting these crimes and creating new verdicts and sanctions for the perpetrators would spark needed change.
>> Actress Song Da Eun Denies Burning Sun Allegations
Overall, reputation and money are a power that protects these criminals alongside the Confucius societal hierarchy of men and old-fashioned thinking that muddied up government policy and action. Although many countries suffer from these issues, it seems Korea is far from making changes towards sexual assault crimes despite the constant issues with them.
Do you think the Burning Sun Case is being revisited with new sentences for Seungri and the assailants? Do you believe that celebrities and the rich can really get away with anything just like in a K-Drama?
Should the person exposing the Miryang case be praised for sparking controversy or captured or punished by law too? Perhaps if the Miryang Case was treated as a true sex crime with proper punishment, the Burning Sun Scandal and Cyber Wrecker wouldn’t even be a thing.
Share your thoughts in the comments!
