Racy Streams, Abusive Boyfriend, & Real Sexuality — Lesbian Dating Show Contestant Exposes It All In Bombshell Statement
Riwon — a popular contestant of Korea’s first lesbian dating show, which started airing on April 25 — has found herself in controversy after allegations of her past as a racy streamer went viral.
Rumors that Riwon was a racy streamer, faking her sexuality, and only joining the show to gain fame and popularity started soon after the first two episodes aired. Though only little had aired, the contestant quickly became many viewers’ favorite. As such, netizens were shocked when a screenshot of one of her streams started circulating online, sparking heated reactions.
Damning Evidence Exposes Popular Lesbian Dating Show Constant’s “Racy Streamer” Past
As the backlash grew, Riwon addressed all the accusations in a handwritten letter she shared on her personal Instagram account. The contestant started with an apology and then opened up about her past as a streamer and the content she would release.
View this post on Instagram
“Hello. This is Kim Ri Won from ToGetHer.
First of all, I want to sincerely and deeply apologize to my fellow cast members, the production staff, those around me who cared for me, and all the viewers who have supported the show for the concern and discomfort I have caused.
Before any more harm is done, I want to personally come forward, tell the truth, and offer my apologies.
I have hosted personal content broadcasts for about three years in total, from 2016 for around two years, again from November 2021 to March 2022 for about four months, and most recently from February to September 2024 for about seven months.”
— Kim Riwon
She even revealed that she had gone on six “dinner dates.” Dinner dates are a popular practice among streamers in Korea, where the highest donors get the opportunity to go on “one-on-one dates” with the streamer.
During my broadcasting activities, I went on a total of six dinner dates. All of these meetings were strictly for meals only and involved no physical contact of any kind. To prove this, I made sure to stream on each of those days and leave a record.
Regardless of my personal circumstances, the fact remains that I had this past. Out of selfishness, I did not inform the production team beforehand, and by appearing on the show, I disappointed and hurt many people. I sincerely apologize for that.
— Kim Riwon
Riwon then touched on the accusations that she is faking her sexuality and queer-baiting in the show. She publicly stated that she is a “woman who loves women.” The contestant, however, also opened up about her struggles with her identity, saying she recently dated a man.
I would also like to speak about my sexual orientation. I am a woman who loves women.
I first realized my sexual orientation when I was in middle school. My first relationship was also with a woman, and it lasted for two years and six months.
However, there were times when I tried to deny who I was, which led me to date both women and men. I was in a long-term relationship with a woman until June 2024. Then, in August, still struggling with self-denial, I dated a man.
— Kim Riwon
Her relationship with the man soon turned toxic and dangerous, according to Riwon. She claims her then-boyfriend helped her manage her streaming schedule, but when she tried to end the relationship, he quickly turned abusive and violent, even making death threats. It was this that led Riwon to join ToGetHer.
“In the beginning, he helped me, including organizing my broadcast videos. But whenever I tried to end things, he threatened to out me to my family and friends. He resorted to violence, confinement, hacking, and even made death threats.
Caught in a situation where it was difficult to break up, I applied to the show with the desperate desire to come out on my own terms, rather than being forcibly outed by someone else.
After the show’s casting process, we briefly saw each other again for about two weeks. However, since the start of this year, we have had no contact whatsoever. Before filming began, I hired a lawyer and am currently preparing to take legal action.”
— Kim Riwon
Riwon ended her lengthy statement with more emotional apologies to the production, the rest of the cast, and also the LGBTQ+ community.
“It is true — without excuse — that I previously hosted inappropriate broadcasts and saw a man before filming began.
I now have a different job, and I believed all traces of my past broadcasts were erased. Wanting to finally accept myself as a lesbian, I selfishly decided to appear on the show. As a result, I ended up causing harm to the show and deeply hurting the cast members and production staff. For that, I am truly and deeply sorry. The cast and production team knew nothing about my past. They, too, are victims.
I am also so sorry for tarnishing the significance of being part of Korea’s first lesbian dating show. It breaks my heart, and I am deeply sorry that, because of me alone, people may now develop harmful stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community.
All of this stems from my own selfishness and inappropriate past. The LGBTQ+ community, the people involved in the show, and the viewers — they are all victims. All the responsibility lies solely with me.
Once again, I sincerely apologize to everyone I have hurt.
I am truly sorry.”
— Kim Riwon
It remains to be seen how the public and viewers will react to Riwon’s handwritten apology letter.
