Former K-Drama Top Star Vanishes After Sexual Assault Scandal and Courtroom Battle
Actor Kang Ji-hwan, who was convicted of sexual assault charges, has virtually disappeared from the public eye. There are currently no updates or indications of a return to the entertainment industry.
In November 2023, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 14 dismissed a 4.2 billion KRW (approx. 3 million USD) compensation lawsuit filed by his former agency, Company A. Around the same time, the Suwon District Court Seongnam Branch also ruled to lift a provisional seizure placed on Kang Ji-hwan’s real estate under Company A’s request.
The lawsuit stemmed from Company A seeking compensation after it paid damages to a drama production company following Kang Ji-hwan’s sexual assault case. However, the court rejected the agency’s claims, essentially ruling that Kang Ji-hwan was not liable for reimbursement.
Kang’s case dates back to July 2019, when he was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting and harassing female staff from an outsourced production team after a gathering at his home. He was later sentenced to two years and six months in prison, suspended for three years. The court based the conviction on DNA evidence and the victims’ testimonies.
As a result, Kang was forced to step down from the then-airing TV Chosun drama Joseon Survival Period. The production company subsequently filed a 6.38 billion KRW (approx. 4.5 million USD) lawsuit against Kang and Company A for breach of contract and return of appearance fees.
In the appeals trial, the court ruled that 5.38 billion KRW (approx. 3.8 million USD) should be jointly paid by both Kang and his former agency. Company A then sought to recover 4.2 billion KRW from Kang, but with the November ruling in his favor, the case has effectively come to a close.
Kang Ji-hwan is no longer under contract with any agency, and his personal profiles no longer list any management affiliations. His personal online channels have also been deleted. Since the suspension of his career, Kang Ji-hwan has been leading a life of near-complete reclusion from public and professional activities.
