Go Young-wook: "No punishment beyond the court's sentence is permissible"... Meaningful post amid controversy over remarks by AV actress [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Singer Go Young-wook, who has recently sparked controversy with a series of social media posts, left a meaningful message targeting ongoing public criticism even after legal penalties were imposed.

On the 14th, Go Young-wook posted an excerpt from Maria Tumarkin's book The Unspoken Pain on his X (formerly Twitter), stating: "No one should be punished beyond what the court has sentenced. But the community," says Tumarkin, "people punish."

Although Go Young-wook added no further explanation, interpretations suggest he was aware of the criticism surrounding his recent social media activity. It appears to indirectly reference the persistent social stigma continuing independently of legal punishment.

He then shared a screenshot of a StarNews article stating that his earlier post mentioning the possibility of becoming an adult video (AV) actor in Japan was a self-deprecating joke reflecting his bleak reality, writing, "Please stop now," thereby revealing his feelings about the recent controversy.

Previously, on the 12th, Go Young-wook posted on his X account: "I just wanted to live happily while making people laugh." He added, "It seems like finding a job in Korea will be difficult. I heard somewhere that there's a shortage of male AV actors in Japan. If it's legally possible..." This led to speculation that he was expressing interest in pursuing AV work in Japan if permitted by law, sparking widespread controversy primarily online.

However, StarNews investigation confirmed that Go Young-wook has no concrete plans to advance his career in Japan or appear in an AV production. The explanation is that the post reflected frustration and helplessness arising from economic difficulties amid the effective suspension of his entertainment activities in Korea.

Go Young-wook also expressed his practical hardships via X last January.

He wrote, "Rehabilitation should aim to help people return to society. But in a world that unconditionally stigmatizes, how can someone like me survive?" He continued, "I spent exactly 13 years, 8 months, and 21 days as an unemployed person with no purpose. There is no place in this society that will employ me. Is there really no way to earn money for our beloved dogs' food?"

Meanwhile, Go Young-wook was sentenced to two years and six months in prison in 2013 on charges of sexually assaulting a minor. At the time, he was also ordered to have his personal information publicly disclosed for five years and to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet for three years—the first such order for a celebrity. After his release, he attempted to resume activities through Instagram and YouTube but failed due to his criminal record for sexual offenses.

Since then, he has consistently shared his thoughts via X. However, some posts have repeatedly sparked controversy online. He faced backlash after posting about broadcasters Yoo Jae-suk and Shin Dong-yup, and past posts referencing G-Dragon's "Little Rula" era were also re-examined, placing him at the center of multiple controversies.

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*This content was translated by AI.