Legal Experts Weigh In: The Unforgiving Standards for Women in K-Entertainment Amid Seo Ye-ji Controversy

Cultural critic Ha Jae-geun recently addressed the issue of stricter standards for young female celebrities, using the case of Seo Ye-ji and Kim Jung-hyun as an example. He emphasized how women in the entertainment industry often face harsher scrutiny compared to their male counterparts when dealing with personal controversies.

This discussion took place on the YouTube channel Viewport’s program “This Month’s Geumju Dongju,” where MC Seo Dong-joo, cultural critic Ha Jae-geun, and divorce lawyer Yang Na-rae appeared as guests. The conversation touched on the challenges celebrities face when navigating scandals and public criticism.

During the program, Seo Dong-joo noted that many celebrities take breaks from their careers due to personal controversies, stating, “Many end up stepping away from the spotlight, whether voluntarily or not, due to personal issues.” This observation led Ha Jae-geun to share his perspective on the double standards applied to young female celebrities, particularly in cases like that of Seo Ye-ji and Kim Jung-hyun.

He elaborated on the controversy surrounding Kim Jung-hyun’s behavior on set, explaining that the actor had been accused of displaying unprofessional conduct during a past project. However, rather than holding him accountable, much of the blame was redirected toward Seo Ye-ji. “Kim Jung-hyun displayed unprofessional behavior on set, and suddenly, people speculated that Seo Ye-ji had been gaslighting him. But she didn’t commit a crime or receive legal punishment. Yet, she was blamed for supposedly making her boyfriend act inappropriately, leading to intense criticism and a long hiatus from the industry.”

Ha Jae-geun further criticized the way the situation unfolded, highlighting the unfairness of the backlash Seo Ye-ji faced compared to Kim Jung-hyun. He pointed out that Kim Jung-hyun, as an adult, should have been responsible for his own actions. “What’s baffling is that Kim Jung-hyun is not a child, he’s an adult. If he acted unprofessionally on set, that’s his responsibility. But somehow, the blame was shifted entirely onto Seo Ye-ji, and she faced even harsher backlash.”

Seo Dong-joo also expressed sympathy for Seo Ye-ji, acknowledging the emotional toll such situations can take. She commented, “It was something that happened between two consenting adults. It must have been incredibly difficult for her.”

Seo Ye-ji’s career suffered significantly due to the scandal. In April 2021, she went on an extended hiatus following accusations that she had manipulated Kim Jung-hyun’s behavior. Although she was never formally charged with any wrongdoing, the allegations alone were enough to derail her career.

More recently, Seo Ye-ji was entangled in new rumors involving actor Kim Soo-hyun, further complicating her return to the industry. However, she took a firm stance against the speculation, personally addressing the matter in a fan cafe post on the 13th. She stated, “I have absolutely no connection with him or his brother,” expressing frustration over what she described as baseless rumors.

The discussion on This Month’s Geumju Dongju highlights a broader issue in K-entertainment, the disproportionate criticism women often face compared to their male counterparts. While Kim Jung-hyun has gradually resumed his activities, Seo Ye-ji’s career has yet to fully recover, underscoring the deep-rooted gender biases within the industry.