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A famed arts high school staff member has been identified as the perpetrator of sexual assault toward at least five female students.
According to an exclusive report from Sports Kyunghyang, multiple students accused a staff member at a famed arts high school in Korea of sexual assault. The staff member took their own life once their crimes were investigated. The crimes occurred over at least ten years, with at least five female students being victims of the staff member’s sexual assault.
The art school in question has been famed as the high school for many top idols and young actors. Sports Kyunghyang has mentioned that graduates of the school have gone on to debut in very famous idol groups, including BTS, TWICE, NCT Dream, and ITZY. The school has been dubbed the “idol academy” due to the number of idols it has as its graduating students. However, a staff member targeted teenage girls and abused them using their status and power.
Student “B,” a musical actress who graduated from the school, was sexually harassed by staff “A” at his house when she was 18 years old. “B” stated that she had lessons until early in the morning at a practice room, which was near the school, and then was called to “A’s” house, where “A” made physical contact with her, gave her alcohol, and kissed her.
My mom had a lot of in-person counseling sessions with my teacher and trusted him a lot. On that day, the teacher contacted my mom and asked her permission so that I could rest ahead of my performance.
But then, he gave me some sweet foreign liquor, then suddenly kissed me on the lips, saying that he thought of me as a woman, not a student.
I tried to refuse his advances by asking what he was trying to do, but he came closer and touched my body.
I was so scared and surprised I shouted that this was not something a human would do. I ran into the guest room and cried all night.
— Student “B”
For the next couple of days, staff “A” did not mention or apologize for what happened. Due to this, student “B” was diagnosed with panic disorder as she had initially trusted the staff member and was extremely shocked by the events that transpired.
“A” was in a position where he could decide on project roles. I had no choice but to continue with a thick skin since I had to graduate and enroll in university.
I would have no power even if I reported what happened, so would it be worth it? I felt like one of the powerless victims I would see in movies.
— Student “B”
Another student, “C,” who has graduated from high school, was a victim of sexual abuse in Japan by staff member “A.” Student “C” was called to Japan under the guise of helping to prepare for a performance in Okinawa in 2019, but instead of other people also being there, it ended up being only student “C” and staff “A.”
Staff “A,” asked me to have a drink while eating dinner, and he said that he came to Okinawa not for work but for vacation, and he called me over because he was bored.
I was very shocked at that. I was also terrified because my accommodations were very far from downtown. My only thought was that I had to find a way to hold out on my own.
When I returned to Korea two days later, I received a long message from staff “A,” where he said, ‘I called you over because I thought about you so much. Don’t overthink it. I’ll let you take the audition.’
He would tell me many times at school that he would have married me if he was my age. I thought he became even more dangerous after I met him after graduating. He would ask me about being a wife or family, but I wouldn’t answer those questions.
I heard that there are more victims than just me among the students and graduates. I want to let them know that staying silent isn’t the answer.
— Student “C”
Sports Kyunghyang met with some more victims, who stated that staff “A” was similar to a cult leader. On the outside, many students thought of him as a good teacher who could send many students to good universities, and many male students thought positively of him.
The female students, however, felt differently. “A” would give hugs and kisses on the cheek to female students that he favored. When he was alone with female students, he wouldn’t hesitate to say “I love you” to them. He also would comment on their body, especially their breasts, legs, and waist, such as “You don’t have a thin waist, but it’s okay because you have wide hips.”
Two more students who were victims of “A’s” abuse briefly commented on the situation.
Several times, there was physical contact with “A” while I had a lesson with him.
Since then, there were times when we naturally dated, but a few months later, he said we should break up.
— Student “D”
I’m still a student, so I’m scared to speak up.
— Student “E”
Student “E” ended up asking Sports Kyunghyang not to publish any details about her situation for fear of retaliation and damage. Students at the arts high school usually get jobs due to their name and face being known, so many students and graduates are reluctant to bring up negative incidents out of fear of hurting their chances at a good job.
The entire situation related to staff “A” became known after one student who was sexually assaulted by him confessed to the school. As the investigation progressed and narrowed toward staff “A,” he took his own life, and the school notified the students that “A” died of a heart attack. As “A” had passed, the sexual assault case closed, but the victim who exposed “A” was still unable to attend school.
Student “F,” a victim while she attended the school, commented on the three years of abuse she suffered at the hands of “A.”
After the death of “A,” I saw something about the damage he caused to the student he dated. I remembered the constant gaslighting I was subjected to for three years by “A.”
It was so dirty and disgusting that I wouldn’t be able to eat anything and still throw up.
This should never happen again, where staff uses their status or authority to harm young students.
— Student “F”
A current student at the school mentioned that there are rumors that there were multiple victims per year during staff “A’s” time at the school.
Even though it is a severe problem, it seems like [the school] is mostly moving on. The perpetrator’s death is likely to leave the victims feeling very empty. I wanted to help in any way possible, so I agreed to this interview.
I’ve heard at least three or four victims per school grade. This is the school that I wanted to enroll in. The truth should be revealed to protect the school’s honor.
— Student “G”
The school stated that they immediately took follow-up measures once notified of what was happening, such as releasing an official statement to parents and students and conducting workshops for students and staff. However, they also stated that they could only manage their team’s and students’ personal business during school hours.
Sports Kyunghyang also attempted to contact “A’s” family multiple times, but they did not respond.
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