"Why isn't it just me?" The question that Ko Youngwook asked..Contradiction of the 'return standard' in the entertainment industry [★FOCUS]

*This content was translated by AI.

• [Reporter's notebook]

The entertainment industry has always been criticized for the 'return standard' of celebrities who caused a stir. There are not a few cases where celebrities who have committed various crimes such as drunk driving, assault, gambling, drugs, and fraud resume their activities as if nothing had happened over time. There are even cases in which the incident is consumed as a subject of laughter by appearing in programs with concepts related to past controversies.

The same applies to actor Lee Jae-ryong, broadcaster MC Ding-dong and musical actor Nam Kyung-ju, who have recently been controversial.

Lee Jae-ryong's license was revoked for refusing to take a sobriety test after causing a drunk driving accident in 2003, and in 2019, he was suspended from prosecution for damaging property by damaging the bowling alley's standing board while drunk. On the 6th, he was driving while drinking and ran away after hitting a median strip one after another I was caught by the police. Then, on the 23rd of last month, the web entertainment show 'Salty Brother Shin Dong-yeop', which appeared with actor Ahn Jae-wook, caught fire. It was pointed out whether it was appropriate to invite two people with a history of drunk driving, as it is a concept of a talk show where people drink and talk.

MC Ding-dong was also put on trial in 2022 for driving drunk and running away after hitting a police car, and was sentenced to one and a half years in prison and two years of probation. At that time, the blood alcohol level of MC Ding Dong was at the level of license cancellation. Nevertheless, she continued her activities, and recently assaulted a female BJ by grabbing her hair during a live Internet broadcast, causing another stir. MC Ding-dong apologized, saying, "I don't take the weight of this incident lightly, and I'll be responsible for the necessary parts until the end," but the victim, BJ, reportedly complained of mental pain and sued him for assault.

NamGyeongju-do, which was recently handed over to the prosecution on charges of sexual assault, also has a history of drunk driving in the past. He was caught drunk driving twice in 2002 and 2003 and driving without a license in 2004, but he continued as a musical actor until last year.

Depending on the nature and timing of the event and the flow of public opinion, whether or not a celebrity is active varies. Since there is no clear standard or system, judgment is often made according to the atmosphere and needs of the time. It is a structure in which it is repeated to return when the judgment of the broadcasting station or producer that "you can use it" or "you need it" is written even when looking at the public opinion. In the end, the criteria for returning to the entertainment industry depend not on the weight of fault, but on the "uselessness."

In the meantime, Ko Young-wook's remarks from the group Lula were on the cutting board.

On the 12th, he shared an article on MC Ding-dong's assault on social media and said, "Even such a low-class man does social activities... What are the standards of this society?" he said, expressing discomfort. He also posted a scene of Lee Jae-ryong appearing on "Salty Brother Shin Dong-yeop" on social media, saying, "You're so generous and only to me..."

After causing a stir over sex crimes in 2012, he seems to have complained compared to his situation where broadcasting activities are still difficult. Ko Young-wook was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for sexual assault against minors in 2013, and was released from prison in 2015. Considering the weight of the crime, it is actually close to being kicked out of the entertainment industry. The inconvenience felt by victims and society is by no means a matter that can be taken lightly.

Nevertheless, it is not easy to say that his question is completely wrong. Of course, the nature of the crime and the degree of damage are all different. In particular, sexual crimes against minors are bound to be subject to much stricter social standards. This is why it is pointed out that it is unreasonable for Ko Young-wook to simply compare his situation with other cases.

However, it is also difficult to deny that the entertainment industry applies different standards for each case and that the return depends on the "temperature of public opinion." It is difficult to say that it is also a healthy system if the judgment is different depending on the atmosphere and topic rather than a clear standard or system. Even if it is difficult to sympathize with Ko Young-wook's words, it is necessary to ponder the questions he asked.

What is the 'standard of return' in the entertainment industry, and who decides by what principles. Call if necessary, and distance if burdensome. As long as these "selective standards" work instead of clear principles, similar controversies are likely to continue in the future.

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*This content was translated by AI.