SENSITIVE CONTENT Former Agency CEO Sentenced to 1-Year Suspended Prison Term for Assaulting Minor Idol

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Former Agency CEO Sentenced to 1-Year Suspended Prison Term for Assaulting Minor Idol​

(article source, translated by Hina Ejaz @ K-pop Newswire)

A former CEO of a Korean entertainment agency has been handed a suspended prison sentence of one year for physically assaulting a minor idol with a blunt object.

On January 14, the Seoul Central District Court’s 16th Criminal Division, led by Judge Lee Kyung Sun, sentenced the former agency CEO (hereafter referred to as A) to a one-year prison term and three years of probation. The court also ordered him to complete 120 hours of community service.

Mr. A was convicted of special assault, child abuse, and other charges, as reported by News1 on January 29.

The ex-CEO faced trial last June for allegedly assaulting idol group members at their dorm. The incident occurred while he was drunk, and an investigation was launched after one of the victims reported it to the police.

Additionally, Mr. A is accused of physically abusing a minor member of the idol group, referred to as B, over allegations that B was dating the group’s manager. The former CEO reportedly questioned B about the relationship, claiming it violated company rules. When B denied the allegations, he hit B’s thighs and buttocks multiple times.

Mr. A was also accused of assaulting group members with an iron bar after complaining that the dorm’s bathroom was dirty.

The court criticized, “The child, who was unable to resist or defend themselves, was repeatedly assaulted with a hanger rod that was previously possessed, resulting in an injury requiring four weeks of treatment. The severity of the assault was so harsh that the hanger broke.”

It continued, “The hanger rod was used to strike the heads of other victims, who were fellow artists. Considering the means of assault and the areas of the body targeted, the risk involved is significant,” and added, “Given the circumstances at the time of the crime, the nature of the offense is severe.”

The court explained that several factors were considered when determining the suspension of the prison sentence. It included the defendant’s admission of guilt, absence of a prior criminal record, and resignation as CEO. In addition, Mr. A reached a settlement of 80 million won with some victims and agreements with the rest.

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In the original News1 publication, they identified the former CEO as "Mr. Kim", and thus names have since circulated across various social media platforms, attempting to identify the perpetrator. Though, misinformation is also rampant, especially from online commentators who either do not have this knowledge, or those who intend to falsify and mislead others into targeting by naming and shaming those who were not involved in this incident.

The perpetrator is said to be Kim Kyu-sang, who was the former CEO of NV Entertainment, which was then rebranded to SSQ Entertainment, and then it was finally renamed once again in June 2024 to H Music Entertainment, after having been dismissed from the position. The CEO position has since been filled by Kim Kang-hyo, the former vice president at Starship Entertainment, who has been acknowledged for his role during the Mnet vote manipulation investigation in attempting to destroy evidence.

H Music Entertainment is home to music acts, wooah (previously woo!ah!) and DXMON, and the minor idol is said to be former DXMON member, Jo, who left in September of last year due to "health concerns", which as we understand from this article, relates to this incident.

 

[kyom ✦ kyom ✦ pom]

Now i just want to kick him in the face

 

[Polaris_Tae]

Not even a prison sentence but a suspended sentence. The guy got off with a slap on the wrist, while his victims will likely be suffering from the aftereffects of trauma for years.
If anyone deserves jail, it's this guy.

 

[choively]

omg no dont be like my MOM ! ... how dare you old man. I demanded closing your company !!!

 

[RussianRoulette]

When I first read the title I low-key thought this was about Madein and maybe Gaeun was getting justice.

The fact that this is so common it could be about anyone is really really sad


The part about the dating a manager still concerns me. Since this is about DXMON i'm assuming the dating a manager thing could be about them? Especially since the saesangs/fansites who reported a member was dating a staff member said it was the member who was still a minor? Though based on the saesang/fansite reports that was still going on up until recently???

I'm now deeply concerned if one of the Woo!ah! members was dating a manager??? Though they aren't minors anymore so I don't think it could be them?

Since the manager was dating a minor I really hope a separate police investigation starts about that because that manager is a predator.

 

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The part about the dating a manager still concerns me. Since this is about DXMON i'm assuming the dating a manager thing could be about them? Especially since the saesangs/fansites who reported a member was dating a staff member said it was the member who was still a minor? Though based on the saesang/fansite reports that was still going on up until recently???

The article in the OP has already mentioned that point:

Additionally, Mr. A is accused of physically abusing a minor member of the idol group, referred to as B, over allegations that B was dating the group’s manager. The former CEO reportedly questioned B about the relationship, claiming it violated company rules. When B denied the allegations, he hit B’s thighs and buttocks multiple times.

 

[Master Of Species]

I want names!