Popular Dating Show Contestant Sentenced To Prison For Sexual Assault
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A former male contestant of the popular South Korean dating show, I Am Solo, has been sentenced to prison for the sexual assault of a woman.
The contestant, named Young Chul (real name Park Jae Hong), is a 35-year-old who was arrested in June 2024 for sexually assaulting a woman while still appearing on I Am Solo. On September 19, KST, the Seoul Western District Court handed him a sentence of one year and six months in prison on charges of quasi-rape. However, the prison term is suspended for three years, which means that as long as Park avoids committing any new crime in the next three years, he won’t actually have to serve any time in jail.
In addition, the court ordered him to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment and imposed a five-year ban on him from working at institutions involving children, adolescents, or people with disabilities.
The incident occurred in June 2024, when Park assaulted a woman in her 20s in a parking lot in Seoul’s Hongdae area at around 3:30 am. He was arrested on the spot and later indicted after CCTV footage was secured as evidence. The court acknowledged the severity of his crime, stating that he forcefully had intercourse with the victim despite her resistance while intoxicated and inflicted severe psychological trauma and physical injuries on her.
Despite this acknowledgement, Juge Kim Woo Hyun clarified that the verdict considered certain factors, such as Park’s admission of guilt, remorse, and the victim’s decision not to pursue punishment after reaching a settlement.
Park had gained significant public attention through the ENA and SBS Plus dating show, I Am Solo, and its spin-off. After his arrest, producers immediately issued an apology and edited him out of all the footage starting from the June 26 broadcast. Cast members also immediately distanced themselves from Park, removing his photos from their social media.
However, netizens are left upset and angry with the court’s verdict. Many sympathized with the victim for choosing a settlement, recognizing how difficult it can be for a sexual assault victim to get justice the other way.
