#MeToo: Korean Edition

After sweeping Hollywood, the #MeToo movement has made its way into Korea, with a string of actors getting busted for sexual misconduct. The difference? The perpetrators have all admitted to committing the indecent acts.

- Cheryl Ong

Jo Min Ki

For years, the 52-year-old veteran actor, who also worked as a professor at Cheongju University, abused his authority by inviting his female students to his residence or karaoke bars, and offering them drinks before sexually harassing them. He also treated his male students like pimps by instructing them to bring the female students to his residence. One of his victims also accused him of sending her sexually explicit messages and nude photos of himself. To date, 20 victims, including theatre actress Song Ha Neul, have come forward with testimonies against the actor who has starred in several Korean TV shows and movies, including blockbuster drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. In a lengthy Facebook expose, Ha Neul wrote that Min Ki’s sexual predatory behaviour was an “open secret” in their department, but no one dared defy or speak out against the actor ’cos of his power and position. The actor has admitted to the allegations, and is currently under police investigations.

Oh Dal Soo