In a matter of days, three big names in South Korea's entertainment industry have made headlines in separate scandals that could derail their careers. The allegations that have embroiled comedians Park Na-rae and Cho Sae-ho, as well as veteran actor Cho Jin-woong, are all different - ranging from workplace abuse to previous teenage detention to associations with a gang member. But the results have been the same: departures from the television screens where they had worked their way up to become household names.
The scandals have also raised questions about the standards to which South Korea's public figures are held - especially in the entertainment industry.
What are the scandals about?
Park Na-rae, one of the country's most successful female comedians, made headlines when two of her former managers lodged criminal complaints claiming she had verbally abused and physically assaulted them. The 40-year-old had also made them do her personal chores, they alleged. Park has denied these allegations and sued the former managers for blackmail. She is separately being accused of receiving IV drips illegally at home, which violates local medical law, prompting a police investigation.
On Monday, Park Na-rae announced on social media that she had talked things through with her accusers but would halt all broadcasting activities until things were 'clearly resolved'. 'As a comedian whose job is to bring laughter and joy, I cannot continue to be a burden to my programmes and colleagues,' she wrote.
The Others Involved
Another comedian under scrutiny is Cho Sae-ho, who faced backlash over links to a local gang member and alleged business transactions with him. In response to public pressure, Cho decided to leave his popular variety shows, citing a desire to not burden the programs further.
The most shocking claim comes from veteran actor Cho Jin-woong, who announced his retirement after reports revealed his past involvement in robbery and sexual assault as a teen. His agency acknowledged his past but denied any sexual assault accusations.
A Debate Over Cancel Culture
The recent wave of scandals has stirred heated debate about the expectations placed on public figures. Some argue that past mistakes should not define a person's current career, while others believe exposure to such individuals could re-traumatize their victims. This has sparked conversations not just about individual accountability but also about the broader implications of celebrity culture in South Korea.
'It's absurd that people mistake this pattern of targeting celebrities online as a moral issue,' remarked one social media user, while others expressed exhaustion with the cancel culture cycle and called for a reassessment of societal values.
