“Even a Motel is Fine” Will Choi Minhwan Be Punished for Prostitution Allegations?
At the same time, there is growing interest in the identity of the “shirt room” mentioned by Choi Minhwan while asking for a “lady”.
Previously, Yulhee, Choi Minhwan’s ex-wife and former member of LABOUM, stirred controversy by releasing a recording in which Choi Minhwan appears to frequent entertainment establishments and seek prostitution services. In the recording, Choi Minhwan can be heard repeatedly asking an entertainment establishment employee for a “lady”. His search for lodging further fueled suspicions of prostitution.
On August 10, 2022 at 2 a.m., Choi Minhwan called the employee, referred to as A, saying, “There’s no hotel available, is there any place open now?” Although A responded “You can’t book through apps at this time, you’ll have to ask the hotel directly“, Choi Minhwan continued asking, “Don’t you know any place?” He persistently requested a motel, saying it was fine as long as it was an accommodation.
In another instance, Choi Minhwan asked A to “prepare two toothbrushes and two packs of ‘Condition’“. Some have speculated that “Condition”, a known brand of hangover relief, might be a euphemism for male contraceptives.
On October 25, the Seoul Gangnam Police Station announced that they had initiated an investigation into Choi Minhwan’s alleged violation of the Anti-Prostitution Law, based on a citizen’s complaint filed via the National Sinmungo platform. The complainant, a former fan who used to enjoy F.T. Island’s music, expressed shock after hearing the news and demanded a thorough investigation into Choi Minhwan and the alleged prostitution broker.
The terms used in the recording have also garnered attention. Choi Minhwan mentioned terms like “shirt room” (where hostesses typically sit on the customer’s lap and change into a white shirt after removing their top and underwear), “rotation” (a practice in upscale entertainment venues where hostesses are rotated among customers) and “karaoke”. He also asked about the “price of service” and whether “the women could be chosen”.
Given these exchanges, many wonder whether Choi Minhwan will face punishment. Prostitution is a crime that results in penalties for both buyers and sellers. However, some legal experts believe it may be difficult to prove the allegations. Lawyer Moon Yoo-jin, speaking on SBS’s “News Briefing”, noted that although the recording suggests suspicions of prostitution, it remains to be seen whether a charge will be formally filed and prosecuted.
Lawyer Moon also mentioned Yulhee’s allegations of sexual misconduct by Choi Minhwan, including her claim that “he touched her private parts in front of her in-laws“. Lawyer Moon stated that even within marriage, rape and sexual assault are punishable under criminal law, suggesting that Choi Minhwan could face charges not only for illegal prostitution but also for forced indecent act.
Source: Nate