A new BBC Eye documentary, Burning Sun: Exposing the Secret K-pop Chat Groups, tells the shocking story of two female journalists, Park Hyo-sil and Kang Kyung-yoon, who risked their careers and personal lives to expose a dark underbelly of the K-pop industry.
The scandal began in 2016 when Park investigated accusations against K-pop star Jung Joon-young for secretly filming sex footage. Facing public backlash and online harassment, Park suffered two miscarriages. Despite this, Jung’s career thrived.
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Three years later, Kang received leaked forensic data from Jung’s phone, revealing a secret chat group involving Jung, BIGBANG member Seungri, and FT Island guitarist Choi Jong-hoon. The messages detailed horrific acts of sexual assault and drugging of women at the Burning Sun nightclub, owned by Seungri. One exchange even described the gang rape of an unconscious woman, with Jung calling it “literally the funniest night of my entire life.”
Kang’s investigation uncovered the group’s apparent protection by a senior police official. Her reporting led to arrests and convictions, prompting more victims to come forward.
However, both journalists faced relentless online harassment. Park recalls death threats and a husband “incredibly worried” for her safety. She is now childless, attributing her miscarriages to the stress of the ordeal. Kang, a mother, also faced a three-year campaign of harassment, including threats directed at her child.
Read more: 10 women secretly filmed by Kpop star: Jung Joon-young quits music with BIGBANG’s Seungri
Despite the toll, the journalists remain resolute. “We threw a single pebble into a huge pond,” Kang reflects. “I hope it’s still there in people’s memories so that if something like that happens again, we can call it out much earlier.”
The scandal resulted in Jung’s five-year prison sentence for gang rape and illicit filming, Choi’s two-and-a-half-year sentence, and Seungri’s 18-month sentence for various charges including sexual bribery and embezzlement. All have since been released.
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The BBC documentary, available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC World Service YouTube channel, sheds light on the dark side of K-pop’s glamorous facade and the brave journalists who fought for justice.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, you can seek help and support from organizations like Rape Crisis, Women’s Aid, Victim Support, The Survivors Trust, and Survivors UK.
