Petition Supporting Riwon of ToGetHer Gains Traction Amid Cyberbullying Controversy
A recent petition titled “Standing with Riwon Against Cyberbullying and Hate” has gained significant attention on South Korean social platforms, including TheQoo. Authored by queer feminist Yeon Hye-won, the petition addresses the online harassment faced by Riwon, a contestant on Wavve’s lesbian dating reality show ToGetHer.
Full Petition Statement from Yeon Hye-won
[Petition] Standing with Riwon Against Cyberbullying and HateHello. My name is Yeon Hye-won, a queer feminist.
I am deeply angered by the cyberbullying and hate directed at ToGetHer cast member Riwon over her past, and I am sharing this open letter as a personal act of solidarity.
AdvertisementI am also asking others to sign in support. Too many women continue to be stigmatized and have their personal information threatened or exposed because of their past. This is not just an individual issue—it is a form of misogyny, a manifestation of gender-based violence, and part of the broader continuum of violence against women, including femicide.
As a queer feminist, I recognize my responsibility to engage with this issue and act, rather than simply observe from the sidelines. Above all, as a feminist, I stand with women who have experience in sex work—past or present—and I do not believe they should be condemned for it.’
Netizens’ Reactions
The petition has resonated with many, especially in light of Riwon’s own response on Instagram. However, the statement also drew offensive and demeaning comments from some users, which further sparked outrage.
Comments on theqoo:
- This is exactly why we can’t just dismiss and ignore all that nonsense about ‘sex workers’ while turning wh*res into saints. We must never let this shit be normalized in mainstream society.
- These idiots lololol That girl made $200 a day just by taking off her clothes and shaking her t*ts . You all are really out here feeling sorry for her? How f*cking stupid can you be?
Many netizens expressed their disgust at the insensitive remarks, stating that Riwon’s openness and willingness to help others demonstrated strength, not shame.
Comments on theqoo:
- I’m a woman with lesbian tendencies too, but damn… I just wanna see their faces once. Who do they think they are, preaching about women’s rights? Because of them, what about the rest of us? So damn selfish.
- I wonder how shamelessly they’ve lived their own life to assume nobody could possibly be better than them. Do they really think everyone else is just like them?
- Ugh, why the hell are ‘queer’ and ‘feminist’ treated like they’re the same thing? So damn annoying.
- …
As discussions around the petition and Riwon’s public stance continue to grow, the controversy has evolved into a larger debate on compassion, accountability, and the treatment of women—particularly LGBTQ+ individuals and those with stigmatized pasts—in Korean society.
