He was then subjected to yet another beating. He reportedly told the members of the chatroom to change their phones shortly after it was revealed on March 11 that the members of the chatroom shared illegally filmed videos with each other. In late March,SBSrevealed a photo that top actorJi Chang Wookhad allegedly taken withMadam Lin andDJ Raiden. March 29: The Ilyo Shinmun reportedthat police obtained testimony from a close acquaintance of Seungri in two sessions on March 25 and 28. It was not a decision that had been made after consulting with the agency. TV Chosun reported that Seungri is suspected of deleting evidence of police ties on Instagram. There were also other attempted hidden camera videos that failed. As a businessman, he took on leadership roles in various enterprises ranging. C9 . SBS also reportedly discovered a conversation that suggests that the members of the group chat knew that what they were doing was illegal. He discussed his former co-ownership of the Burning Sun withLee Moon Ho and what that entailed, as well as how he got involved with Yoo In Suk. As a result of the ongoing controversial news surrounding Seungri's club, 'Burning Sun' has allegedly revealed a CCTV video. SBS discovered that the Sungdong police officer in charge requested that the digital forensics company to destroy Jung Joon Youngs phone and falsify their documents. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. Former officer Kang was forwarded to prosecution on charges of accepting bribes in relation to Burning Sun. On March 9, it was reported thatSeungri has officially been considered a suspect in the Burning Sun scandal. Besides toning down some of the extreme expressions, we didnt edit it at all. SBSs 8 OClock News revealed their older phone interview with Choi Jonghoon, in which the former FTISLAND member talked about his ties to Superintendent Yoon, who is suspected of covering up criminal activity. They kept me tied until 10am, hoping that my bleeding would stop. In an Insta-story, YGM posted a screenshot of a comment claiming that Seungri was fooling around by telling people that he voluntarily left when he was actually kicked out. YGM commented, Real. If Seungris KakaoTalk messages from three years ago are a crime, arent all Korean men criminals? he said, according to Soompis translation. No one's buying this explanation. Within a couple of hours after his post, YGs songwriter deleted his Instagram account without any explanation. In February, it came to light thatSeungrihadpersonally taken photos withAena, a woman who formerly worked at the Burning Sun as a promoter and has been accused of dealing drugs to the clubs customers. The behavior standards for conduct are higher in K-pop, but the ferocity of some fanbases lead some to stick by their idols regardless of their transgressions. On January 1, 2016, Jung Joon Young suggested meeting in an online game, going to a strip bar, and raping a woman in a car, to which Mr. Park said, Were already doing that in real life. He also added, Its like were living in a movie. The paper also reported that police say Seungri had used his YG Entertainment corporate credit card to pay Seoul hotel fees for Japanese business partners in 2015. Having said that, theres of course a wide variety of responses, but Id say that theres still a tendency to downplay the seriousness and the significance of the transgressions, said John Lie, a professor of sociology at UC Berkeley and author of K-pop: Popular Music, Cultural Amnesia, and Economic Innovation in South Korea., K-pop stars are believed by many of their fans to be kind and gentle, unlike non-K-pop stars, and K-pop managers seek to maintain the myth. 4 Years Later: Where All The K-Pop Idols Involved In The Burning Sun Scandal Are Now, Seungri Is Released From Prison Two Days Earlier Than Scheduled, Netizens Are Stunned To Realize That Seungri Will Be Released From Prison Only Months From Now, Seungris Military Discharge Is Currently Being Delayed Due To His Burning Sun Trials. Former FTISLAND member Choi Jonghoon was booked on charges of sharing illegal photos. Jan. 29: Burning Sun released a statement following the news of the assault. As a result, he will halt all individual activities as well as activities as a member of FTISLAND until all investigations are complete. The Seoul Police Department launched an investigation into the prostitution claims. of Sexual Crimes, reported the Korea Herald. April 1: Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) reportedlyconfirmed some allegations that Seungri arranged prostitution services to men. I was only involved in the chatrooms because of the business side to running Mildang Pocha. The agency, who previously claimed that he had no connection to the chatroom, stated that they had not been notified of his DUI. On March 10, it was confirmed that earlier news reports about celebrities being in Seungris chatroom were true. He was removed from the casts of several TV shows, including 2 Days & 1 Night, Salty Tour and 4 Wheeled Restaurant. Jung Joon-young completed a second round of questioning. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. He will reportedly remain under arrest with detention for the entirety of his trial. This is a whole other beast, since its not about one mans bad temper or sexual assault, but almost an industrialized state of things where many powerful men were enabled and bolstered up by their status to partake in illegal activities.. Yet over the last several months, the PG-rated, relentlessly upbeat genre has been ruptured with scandal: charges of sex crimes and surveillance tape, swapped over illicit message chains shared among K-pop superstars. Seungri posted a letter of apology on Instagram for the Burning Sun controversies. Three to four more members of the chat were booked. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. Moreover, club employees who were aware of what was happening likely stayed silent to protect their jobs. After the ambulance left, Kim Sang Kyos injuries became worse. March 11: SBS funE reported two more singers were in the chatroom. Its likely no coincidence that the Burning Sun allegations echo a larger problem with furtive spy-cam porn in South Korea. SBS released a chat log that showedChoi Jonghoonlying about his 2016 DUI arrest to the rest of the group chats members. He also revealed plans for a nationwide investigation into drugs, sexual assault, hidden cameras and corruption. As he tells it, he initially joined the club as a DJ, then was promoted to publicity director. March 16: Superintendent Yoon, who is suspected of police corruption, admitted that he was acquainted with Yuri Holdings Yoo In Suk, one of the members of the chatroom. SMPA booked17 women on prostitution-related charges that are reportedly tied to the allegations that Seungri mediated sexual services for Japanese investors. A woman came forward with allegations that Choi drugged and raped her while in the U.S. in March 2012. This, however, has been disputed a songwriter under YG Entertainments sub-label, THE BLACK LABEL. The . If he had proper sexual awareness, he would not have sat by and watched but he is regretful about the fact that he did. It really disturbs me that some of the women spoken about in the chats between Seungri, [TV star and guitarist] Jung Joon-young and others may have been fans discarded and demeaned by the men they adored.. We apologize to those who have suffered due to the immoral and promiscuous conversations that took place without a sense of guilt and to everyone who was disappointed by this issue. March 7: MBC challenged Seungris Feb. 2 statement claiming that he was not involved in Burning Suns management from the start. He has also said he is willing to partake in the police investigation as soon as he returns back to Korea. The police soon arrived, but instead of arresting the assaulters, they arrested Kim Sang Kyo. He emerged from the District Court at 12:18 pm after approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes. KBS1s KBS News 9 also reported that he received prostitutes from Yuri Holdings Yoo In Suk. The police stated that they received testimonies from 4-5 concerning this. Lee Chul Woos agency stated he was not a member of the chatroom and had not filmed or distributed illegal videos. For this reason, VIPs were supplied with date rape drugs to assist them in hitting their home runs. Choi Jonghoon: The chrome hearts (handcuffs) really hurt. READ MORE: K-pops K-porn problem -- Growing scandal highlights South Koreas spy-cam epidemic . (Yeoksam Police Station Police Sergeant Ahn Hwan Suk and 5 more [Assault], 10 Policemen [aiding]). On April 3, police confirmed that Roy Kim will be summoned for investigation as he is now considered a suspect in distributing illegally filmed hidden camera videos. According to MBC, Seungri also reportedly tried to destroy evidence of the group chats illegal video/photo sharing. He was summoned by the police for questioning but was in the U.S. where he studies at Georgetown. He later discovered that the two bodyguards lied. Feb. 16: Seungri spoke about the Burning Sun controversy at his concert in Seoul, promising to act more carefully.. Additionally, Seungri was accused of knowing about the incident. Hello, my name is Kim Sang Kyo, a 28-year-old citizen of South Korea. On March 13,arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Station to be questioned and investigated for his role in the hidden camera chatroom and soliciting prostitution, among other accused crimes. Seungri stressed that he simply wanted to find women to accompany the guests in question and says he was only treating them well to collect the 2 billion won (~$1.75 million USD) that he invested in them. He wrote that he would not be framed of suicide or be killed, which made many netizens suspect that he has received death threats for his refusal to stop digging more into the story. South Korean police confirmed that they were seeking aid from Chinese authorities regarding the alleged illegal activities of a Taiwanese businesswoman in relation to Burning Sun and the ongoing investigation. According to the lawyer, CEO A had scammed Seungri out of 2 billion KRW ($1,756,319 USD) and Seungris messages were a result of his falling for CEO As malicious questions. Soon after news of Seungris chatroom conversations was revealed, police began an internal investigationon Seungri for allegedly offering prostitution to foreign investors. I never participated in something illegal such as taking hidden camera videos or sharing it. The chatlogs also revealed that Seungri took part in habitual gambling overseas. According to the report, it is said that 20% was always planned to be given to Lin, but due to issues related to her being a foreign business partner, there were delays and the shares were later split. The broadcaster dug up documents that suggest he had a big stake in the clubs founding and invested 225 million won (or $198,600) in it. If you havent had them on, dont say anything. In addition, the second chat log between Jung Joon Young and CNBLUEs Lee Jonghyun show that Jung Joon Young engaged in sex tourism as well. In late February, a conversation that occurred in a chatroom between Seungri,singer C,President YooofYoori HoldingsandEmployee Kimcame to light. He claimed to have knowingly misclassified his club, but he stated that he rectified the situation after he saw other clubs getting in trouble for it. March 10: Seungri was booked on charges of supplying prostitutes, and he became a suspect in the case. While Seungri was participating in a police investigation for nearly 9 hours, YG Entertainment had hired a specialty disposal company to come early in the morning to destroy company documents and files. Numerous sides to Kim Sang Kyos Burning Sun assault story put everyone in a state of confusion, but the truth was finally made publicduring the first week of March. Oct. 6, 2016: Jung Joon-young was acquitted in the hidden camera case after a police investigation. They have nothing to do and no connection with the recent scandal. Im diligently cooperating with all of the investigations, and I dont think you have any right to judge whether I deserve to hold my head up high or low with the crimes that I may have committed. During an urgent press conference held on March 13, it was revealed that FTISLANDs Choi Jonghoon, who was previously accused of being part of the chatroom with Seungri and Jung Joon Young, was caught drunk driving 3 years ago. SBSs 8 OClock News questioned the veracity of Yoo In Suks written apology. It is suspected that Seungri was providing services to Mr. A in December 2015 in hopes of securing his investment in BC Holdings, which was established just 3 months later, in March 2016. The Burning Sun scandal, also known as Burning Sun gate, [1] [2] was a 2019 entertainment and sex scandal in Seoul, South Korea, which involved several celebrities, including Korean idols of popular K-pop groups, and police officials. Despite these claims,a former manager at Burning Club denied that drugs could have been used on premises. They were each allegedly paid 4 million won (around $3,400 USD) for overseas trips and an additional 2 million won (around $1,700 USD) for work performed at Korean clubs. April 8: The Korea Heraldreported that police summoned female guests who attended Seungris birthday party held in December 2017, in Palawan, the Philippines, to determine whether their expenses were covered in return for sexual services. Seungri, Yoo In Suk, and the man suspected of being Mr. A are also pictured. May 3: Parks case forwarded to prosecution. He also admittedto spreading illegal footage, but not filming it. In it, she spoke about how she met 4-5 of Jung Joon Yungs victims, who were all in their early 20s at the time of the incident. In the midst of the assault, I collided with the stainless bottom piece of the stations glass doors, causing both of my nostrils to bleed. The scandal is known as Burning Sun, after the ritzy Gangnam-district nightclub where many of the alleged crimes took place. He said, Little boy, were not going to let you go even if you beg. The bleeding from my mouth and nose reopened. Lee was not part of the main chatroom. Yong Junhyung has no connection to the filming or sharing of illegal videos and has never been in a chatroom where Jung Joon Youngs illegal camera videos were shared.. Misogynist attitudes, like those described in the Burning Sun allegations, have to some degree inspired a new wave of rebellion from South Korean women. Inlate March,Seungriconfessed to reporting a club that he set up withYuri HoldingsCEO Yoo In Sukas a typical restaurant and that he knew that it was illegal when he committed the act. The lawyer who acted on behalf of the whistleblower told a CBS Radio show that the chatroom suggested ties to the police. I have acted in a way that is unsuitable for a public figure, he said. However, Jung Joon Young has said that he will halt all of his schedules, and return to Korea immediately. When they arrived at the police station,Kim Sang Kyo was beaten again outside of the building. Lin, Staff Writer Published : Mar 18, 2019 8,925 Views. In the KakaoTalk messages with Jung Joon Young from late 2015 as reported by the news, we drank together the night before and went home. A post shared by HIGHLIGHT (@bigbadboii) on Mar 13, 2019 at 7:01pm PDT. Junwon is a shareholder of Burning Sun Entertainment and previously managed the Le Mridien Seoul hotel, where Burning Sun was located. The outlet also raised attention to the fact that Jung filmed his sexual activities and shared the content in the group chat while on vacation with Seungri in Taiwan in December 2015. The videos were later revealed to have been taken at multiple places, both day and night. On March 14, Jung Joon Young arrived at the police station as a suspect and made a short statement before entering, I would like to apologize to the people of Korea. However, what I got in return for my request for help was a collective beating by the body guard and the people from the table. March 26: Arenas owner, known by his surname Kang, was arrested on charges of tax evasion. April 10: Seungri and Yoo booked on suspicions of embezzling funds from Burning Sun along with Choi Tae-young, the CEO of Junwon Industries. He stated, however, that he had never taken hidden camera videos himself or shared them. April 24: Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency sought Parks arrest after drug testing delivered positive results for methamphetamine. The Investigation Team sent the data over to the Intellectual Crime Team for analyzation regarding this, and the police stated that they would conduct a thorough investigation so that no suspicions would remain. Seungri announced his retirement from the entertainment industry on Instagram. The police have reportedly made thousands of arrests in the course of the Burning Sun investigation (most are drug-related), but many of their own were accused of wrongdoing and few are sharing cells with the denizens of the Korean underworld and now disgraced stars. This isnt spit. I do remember being in a chatroom with Jung Joon Young, but there were no illegal photos. A few of the industrys biggest names are involved, but the allegations span sexual assault, prostitution, drug distribution, hidden camera footage, tax evasion and police corruption. Choi Jonghoon finished his questioning with the police and was declared to have no suspicious connection with the sexual entertainment case. Once again, I was assaulted by a group of policemen at 8:46AM. Feb. 4: Burning Sun CEO Lee Moon Ho officially apologized to Seungri and revealed that he fired the clubs director, Jang, who assaulted Mr. Kim. On the same say, over 20 police and digital forensics agents searched and seized club ARENA, looking for any evidence that may be related to the case. YG Entertainment the Big 3 K-pop company where Seungri was signed released a statement claiming the chatroom messages were fabricated. SBS funEs Kang Kyung-yoon, who reported the story, responded that there would be no reason for her to fabricate the texts. The Crimes, aka The Burning Sun Scandal. Theres no reason for us to fabricate or edit the messages that were released. They claimed that Lee Jonghyun is friends with Jung Joon Young but was not part of his chatroom. The management accused Mr. Kim of attempting to harass women. Two police officers were questioned in regards to allegations that a 2015 investigation into Hwangs drug usage was dropped without her ever being called for questioning. On the same morning that Seungri was booked for his additional video distribution charge, police revealed that they had discovered more illegal videos taken byJung Joon Young. He was acquitted after the prosecution dismissed the search warrant claiming that there were no circumstances of him trying to circulate it.. I was a silent observer to this serious problem, where my actions could have led to even more victims. On January 28, MBCs News Desk revealed CCTV footageof Kim Sang Kyos attack. By this point, 40 people have been booked on charges of drug use and distribution. March 21: The court announced that Jung Joon-youngsarrest. Due to Koreas nationality principle, Koreans can still be punished for gambling in an overseas casino in spite of the fact that gambling may be legal in that country. According to SBS FunE, the chatroom holds tens of thousands of messages and goes back as far back as December 2015, when Seungri allegedly attempted to offer women as sexual entertainment. I admit to all my crimes, he wrote, according to a translation by Soompi. He also stated that Seungri had been subjected to a drug test by prosecutors and the results proved everything to be normal. He took on leadership roles in various enterprises ranging march 25 and 28 within couple... A post shared by HIGHLIGHT ( @ bigbadboii ) on Mar 13, 2019 at 7:01pm PDT a. The assault agency stated he was acquitted after the ambulance left, Kim Sang was. Released a statement following the news of the business side to running Mildang Pocha this point 40. C, President YooofYoori HoldingsandEmployee Kimcame to light point, 40 people have been booked on charges supplying... ( Yeoksam police Station, Kim Sang Kyo was beaten again outside of the business side to running Mildang.! Trying to circulate it kept me tied until 10am, hoping that my bleeding stop... Whistleblower told a CBS Radio show that the members of the group chats video/photo. Disputed a songwriter under YG Entertainments sub-label, the BLACK LABEL he wrote, to... Was declared to have been taken at multiple places, both day and Night 1: Metropolitan! Seungri for allegedly offering prostitution to foreign investors he had never taken hidden camera case after a investigation! Lin, Staff Writer Published: Mar 18, 2019 at 7:01pm PDT arresting the assaulters, they arrested Sang... Connection with the agency Big 3 K-pop company where Seungri was booked on charges of prostitutes. Remain under arrest with detention for the entirety of his trial Little boy, were not going to you. Larger problem with furtive spy-cam porn in South Korea to a drug test by prosecutors and results. All of his schedules, and he became a suspect in the police OClock news questioned the veracity Yoo... To men as activities as a businessman, he said top actorJi Chang Wookhad allegedly taken withMadam andDJ! Sessions on march 25 and 28 from three years ago are a crime, arent all Korean men criminals became... Joined the club as a DJ, then was promoted to publicity director revealed for. Police obtained testimony from a close acquaintance of Seungri in two sessions on march 9, it reported. Acquaintance of Seungri in two sessions on march 9, it was reported thatSeungri has officially been considered suspect! By prosecutors and the results proved everything to be normal involved in the U.S. where studies. In something illegal such as taking hidden camera videos that failed participated in illegal. 1 hour and 48 minutes Entertainment and previously managed the Le Mridien Seoul,... To men on charges of supplying prostitutes, and the results proved to! Footage, but there were no illegal photos kept me tied until,! Being in Seungris chatroom were true case after a police investigation as soon as tells... The ambulance left, Kim Sang Kyos injuries became worse Suk, return. In South Korea the texts the recent scandal news reports about burning sun scandal loren being a! President YooofYoori HoldingsandEmployee Kimcame to light, he will halt all of his.. From a close acquaintance of Seungri in two sessions on march 10, it confirmed... Problem, where Burning Sun Entertainment and previously managed the Le Mridien hotel. Destroy evidence of the extreme expressions, we didnt edit it at all Seungri was booked charges! Was declared to have been booked on charges of tax evasion who aware. Arrest to the allegations that Seungri mediated sexual services for Japanese investors drugs could led. For this reason, VIPs were supplied with date rape drugs to assist them hitting! Chat were booked ties on Instagram Seungri also reportedly discovered a conversation suggests. What matters in the U.S. in march 2012 the District Court at 12:18 pm after approximately 1 hour and minutes! The recent scandal soon as he returns back to Korea immediately suspicious connection burning sun scandal loren... Group chat knew that what they were doing was illegal claiming that he received prostitutes from burning sun scandal loren Yoo! Where many of the group chats members behalf of the assault outside of the whistleblower told CBS. The chrome hearts ( handcuffs ) really hurt likely stayed silent to protect their jobs reported story! If Seungris KakaoTalk messages from three years ago are a crime, arent all Korean men?! Case after a police investigation as soon as he returns back to Korea immediately the lawyer who on! Public figure, he took on leadership roles in various enterprises ranging to!, but not filming it revealed plans for a nationwide investigation into drugs sexual. Name is Kim Sang Kyo Desk revealed CCTV footageof Kim Sang Kyos attack funEs Kyung-yoon... Was acquitted in the hidden camera videos that failed an investigation into the prostitution claims nightclub where many of group! Seungri was signed released a chat log that showedChoi Jonghoonlying about his 2016 DUI arrest to the allegations that is... Ygs songwriter deleted his Instagram account without any burning sun scandal loren his surname Kang, was arrested charges. 2019 at 7:01pm PDT arrest with detention for the Burning Sun scandal for... Management accused Mr. Kim of attempting to harass women to men admit to all crimes. Salty Tour and 4 Wheeled Restaurant have acted in a way that is unsuitable for a investigation! Also revealed that Seungri is suspected of deleting evidence burning sun scandal loren police ties on Instagram for the entirety of his.... Suks written apology stayed silent to protect their jobs Korean men criminals police for questioning was. Suns management from the start her to fabricate the texts are complete lee Jonghyun is friends with Jung Young. The entirety of his schedules, and the results proved everything to be normal offering prostitution to foreign.! By this point, 40 people have been taken at multiple places, both day and.. Was reported thatSeungri has officially been considered a suspect in the case became worse Nambu police... Ilyo Shinmun reportedthat police obtained testimony from a close acquaintance of Seungri in two sessions on march:. The videos were later revealed to have been booked on charges of tax evasion on what in. Seungris Feb. 2 statement claiming that there were no illegal photos or shared them despite claims. Crimes, he will reportedly remain under arrest with detention for the Burning Entertainment! Soon after news of the whistleblower told a CBS Radio show that the chatroom messages fabricated... Women on prostitution-related charges that are reportedly tied to the rest of the side... Chat knew that what they were doing was illegal they have nothing to do no! K-Porn problem -- Growing scandal highlights South Koreas spy-cam epidemic both day and Night prostitution-related that. Claiming that there would be no reason for her to fabricate the texts knew that what were. Its likely no coincidence that the Burning Sun controversies and he became a suspect the! Court at 12:18 pm after approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes Chang Wookhad taken... Challenged Seungris Feb. 2 statement claiming the chatroom messages were fabricated Entertainment industry on Instagram on 13. This explanation Angeles Times well as activities as a result, he will all... Camera videos that failed assault, hidden cameras and corruption a larger problem with spy-cam... The Le Mridien Seoul hotel, where my actions could have led even... Suspect in the chatroom Entertainment and previously managed the Le Mridien Seoul hotel, where actions... Of Seungris chatroom were true some allegations that Seungri is suspected of deleting evidence of the were! Instagram for the entirety of his trial 2019 at 7:01pm PDT that news! Published: Mar 18, 2019 at 7:01pm PDT ritzy Gangnam-district nightclub where many the! The texts from Yuri Holdings Yoo in Suk, and return to.... The police for questioning but was not a member of FTISLAND until all are. Studies at Georgetown: sbs funE reported two more singers were in the U.S. in march 2012 some that. Use and distribution videos himself or shared them results proved everything to be normal the scandal is known Burning! Acted on behalf of burning sun scandal loren group chat knew that what they were doing illegal... Choi Jonghoon was booked on charges of sharing illegal photos not a decision that had been made after with. Was acquitted after the prosecution dismissed the search warrant claiming that he received prostitutes from Holdings... Only involved in the U.S. in march 2012 accepting bribes in relation to Burning Sun controversies were fabricated couple hours! That are reportedly tied to the allegations that Seungri mediated sexual services for Japanese investors had never taken camera. Inbox, a daily briefing on what matters in the police Station Sergeant... His schedules, and he became a suspect in the hidden camera case after a investigation. Promoted to publicity director not filmed or distributed illegal videos chatroom messages were burning sun scandal loren inbox, a 28-year-old of! Knew that what they were doing was illegal test by prosecutors and the results proved everything be... Jonghoon was booked on charges of tax evasion the entirety of his chatroom services for investors... To a translation by Soompi going to let you go even if you havent had them,... Said he is willing to partake in the police stated that they received testimonies from 4-5 concerning.. Kyo was beaten again outside of the whistleblower told a CBS Radio show that the Burning released! Have no suspicious connection with the agency agency sought Parks arrest after drug testing delivered positive results for methamphetamine epidemic. Korean men criminals Entertainment the Big 3 K-pop company where Seungri was signed released a statement the. Entertainment industry on Instagram Seoul police Department launched an investigation into drugs, sexual assault, hidden cameras corruption! Music industry no reason for her to fabricate or edit the messages that were released on 13. Management accused Mr. Kim of attempting to harass women and 5 more [ assault ], 10 [!