Recently, in light of the growing controversy surrounding actor Kim Soo-hyun, the case of Go Young-wook, who was involved in a similar scandal years ago, has once again captured public attention, drawing comparisons and sparking renewed discussions.
Go Young-wook, a former member of the popular ’90s band Roo’Ra, was arrested in 2013 on charges of sexually assaulting and molesting three minors between July 2010 and December 2012. Following a trial, he was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison, along with 3 years of electronic monitoring. After serving his sentence at Anyang Prison and South Prison, he was released in July 2015. His case drew significant public attention due to the severity of the crimes and his status as a public figure.
In the wake of his conviction, a scene from the 2009 MBC variety program “There she is!!” has been re-examined and is now sparking controversy. The show, which revolved around the theme of “Idol Autumn Picnic,” featured male and female idols pairing up as couples for various activities. During one segment, Go Young-wook attempted to give his business card to then 17-year-old Kara member Goo Hara.
Super Junior’s Yesung, who was also part of the show, intervened and tried to stop Go Young-wook from handing over the card. However, Go Young-wook persisted, even mentioning that there was a phone number written on the back of the card, seemingly encouraging Goo Hara to contact him.
Yesung responded by tearing up the card and saying, “Let’s just watch.” At the time, some viewers interpreted Yesung’s actions as disrespectful or overly protective. However, as time passed and Go Young-wook’s criminal actions came to light, public perception of the incident shifted. Many now believe that Yesung was acting to protect Goo Hara from an uncomfortable or potentially inappropriate situation. His actions have been reassessed as a moment of genuine concern and responsibility, especially given the power dynamics and age differences involved.
On March 10, the channel “Garo Sero Research Institute” claimed that Kim Sae-ron had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun for six years, starting when she was 15. As this suspicion spread and the controversy grew, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, issued an immediate statement. The agency denied the claims, stating, “The content claimed by Garo Sero is clearly false,” and announced plans for “the strongest legal response.”
On March 11, Garo Sero continued its revelations, presenting evidence including photos of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron kissing, text messages Kim Sae-ron sent to Kim Soo-hyun during her lifetime, conversations between Kim Sae-ron and her cousin, and statements from her mother, further escalating the controversy.
Many netizens have drawn a parallel between the controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and the past scandal involving Go Young-wook. The similarities between the two situations have sparked intense online discussions, with some social media users questioning the nature of their relationships and the circumstances surrounding the rumors. While Kim Soo-hyun’s case is still under investigation and has yet to be fully resolved, netizens have pointed out the disturbing trend of celebrities being involved in controversial situations, particularly with minors.
Comments on theqoo:
- Yesung is really a great person! He’s so cool.
- To a 17-year-old…ㅋㅋ Yesung is so cool!
- Yeah, it seems like everyone in the entertainment industry knew about Go Young-wook. I remember someone even said on “Infinite Challenge” that no matter who they meet, Go Young-wook was someone they shouldn’t associate with… It’s hard to understand why they kept working with him even though everyone knew.
- But really, when young female celebrities debut, it seems like they really need someone – whether from their agency, their surroundings, or anywhere else – to protect them from situations like this… The environment seems so dangerous.
- We should really start paying attention to behaviors like this now.
This incident has reignited discussions about the treatment of young idols in the entertainment industry and the importance of safeguarding their well-being. The controversy serves as a reminder of the need for greater awareness and accountability in the industry to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation and harm.
Sources: Kbizoom