Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
Open World Entertainment CEO Jang Seok Woo has admitted to committing crimes of sexual abuse.
If you have not followed the case up until this point, catch up here.
Kangnam Police Station reported on the morning of April 12th, ‘We arrested Mr. Jang on the suspicions of sexual harassment and sexual assault, and the total amount of female victims are six, with two of them being teens, who are underage.”
They continued, “Different from before, when he denied all of the accusations, he has now admitted to a portion of them,” and issued out a warrant of arrest.
Although specific details about the victims have not been revealed, it has been reported that among the victims were celebrity-hopefuls who had not even yet signed an official contract with the agency.
The police is reported to have acquired statements from female victims who testified that “Mr. Jang had commanded male idol group members to sexually assault us“, and is investigating the details. They stated, “This is a sex crime of a sensitive nature which we are currently in the midst of investigating, so we are approaching it with caution. The exact breakdown of the suspicions will have to wait until the investigation ends, and we cannot confirm for you everything regarding the female victims.”
It’s not clear yet exactly what he admitted to, but it’s probably not going to be good.
The cynic in me wonders if he’s just going to admit to the lesser charges, and the police will then cover up the more serious offenses so he doesn’t have to rot in jail.
Thoughts?
Curious, do you think the Korean or Japanese entertainment is more corrupt and horrid? I always hear about the sexual favors, slave contracts and scandals that seem to somehow seep out from behind closed foors – but am not to fimilar with the Japanese so I was curious as to what your thoughts were.
* doors
Japan is just as bad. Maybe worse.
That story about the idol being raped and her management trying to deny it because it would kill her career was from Japan.
Well, maybe the idol/pop scene isn’t as bad in Japan, but certainly the gravure side of it is dirty as hell. JAV is as well, but that goes without saying.
The reason I ask is because I speak Korean and Japanese proficently and am looking at Universities in either Japan or Korea to study Performing Arts / Music – but really, I dont know what to do because I am hearing pretty scary stories from both countries. I haven’t decided which would be a little more risky.
I would say that in both scenarios, there is far less risk if you are able to sign with the major companies.
If you are just talking about college, then I highly doubt anything will happen to you there, especially if you are intelligent enough to be reading Asian Junkie.
Hahaha.
Seriously though, it’s more about making individual decisions for yourself, I think. Your own moral compass is more important.
Forgot about mentioning the Yakuza. I hear the Visual-Kei scene is f*cked as well and Johnny’s is like basically like the mafia.
What’s going on with the Visual-Kei scene?
Well, I was kind of thinking if I would go and get a Performing education in one of those places that would lead into a career attempt there. Haha, I am a Junior in high school now so I’d say a decision needs to be made by summer – and also I am a guy, not a girl haha. But I understand shit goes down with the guys aswell – so yes, it’s a little difficult of a decision. But Asian or not, I am American so maybe they wouldn’t want to fuck with an American (no pun intended) ? :D
You will run into less trouble as a male entertainer in Asia. Far less risk.
Sad but true.
Probably don’t want to get into Johnny’s Entertainment though.
Do you have a pretty face? a nice ass?
Damn slut, you didn’t even take him out to dinner and a movie yet….
I hate that theres no details….
Word.
Question
Why don’t the idols or trainees who experienced sexual favours just tell the police when and what happens? Is it because they need evidence of the occurrence and if they do they’ll be fired from the company?
Partially explained here: http://www.asianjunkie.com/2012/04/open-world-entertainment-actress-shin-ji-soo-a-bit-callous-on-twitter-but-there-are-reasons/
Basically, it will ruin your career and the chances of it being taken seriously by the police are not that good.
snitches get stitches..
sexual ‘favours’ is almost certainly extremely widespread within the industry. you are never gonna get another job if you are known as a whistle blower.
Well don’t really have much thoughts.. though it’s better for him to admit to something than nothing at all (and look like a more disgusting idiot when they prove his guilt) So… guess I’ll just be waiting for my news to come.. wow big stuff seems to happen around this time of year in Kpop, huh? Wasn’t Daesung incident around this time last year too? (and the comments on those articles.. *shakes head*)
He admitted the ones that were already proved, it looks like the word of a sex offender is worth more than the word of a possible victim… I do think he harassed way more than 6 and let’s not forget his hobby meke others harass the girls too.
I’m still thinking about the Karam issue, so boys shouldn’t be let out of this either
That could be it. Admitted to the ones that they know have physical evidence.
damn, this is so fucked up!
For some reason I’m not so shocked/surprised with this news. It’s a well kept secret among entertainment industry and not only in K-pop but also in Hollywood… But i’m sure no one wants to fuck with huge companies. Fame comes with sacrifice and I’m not saying raping/abusing kids is ok but everyone involved should’ve known. We can’t only blame CEO’s or power people but also the whole fucked up system and parents as well.
I can imagine how other companies are destroying their evidence as we’re speaking right now…so disgusting. I hope this news will bring a lot of awareness to this issue, even though I doubt it.
The system is always part of the problem.
One issue is that there’s so much competition that they feel if they don’t do certain things than somebody else with just as much talent/looks will do it.