Two prominent figures from South Korea's entertainment scene, Kang Byung-kyu and Shin Jung-hwan, have shared their scathing commentary on the infamous allegations of sexual assault surrounding singer Kim Gun-mo, labeling it one of the worst scandals to rock the industry.
During the recent episode of their web program, "[Endless Gossip and Scandals](#)," aired on February 24, the duo expressed deep concern over the lasting damage caused to Kim's reputation, even after the case was officially closed without charges.
Back in 2019, Kim faced accusations of assaulting a female employee at a bar located in Gangnam, Seoul. The woman claimed during her livestream on the YouTube channel 'Garosero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소) she had been beaten and mistreated, leading to Kim being charged with sexual assault. Soon after, Kim counter-sued for defamation. The cases reached their conclusion when the prosecution stated, as of November 2021, there were no grounds for filing charges against either party involved.
Reflecting on the tumultuous events and their fallout, Kang expressed anger, noting, “This situation destroyed his family, and it seemed entirely unexpected—who could have predicted such devastation would stem from these allegations?”
The allegations not only forced Kim Gun-mo to demonstrate his innocence but also catalyzed his exit from several television shows he was participating in, including the popular SBS program "My Little Old Boy (미운 우리 새끼)." Amid the scandal, Kim also faced the collapse of his marriage with 13-year-younger pianist Jang Ji-yeon after just 2 years and 8 months.
Kang emphasized the inconsistencies he discovered during his own investigations—having interviewed lawyers and checked forensic evidence concerning the messages exchanged between Kim and the accuser. “No records of communication were found on his phone,” he stated, raising doubts over the initial claims. “It was shocking to see how far this spiraled out of control.
Shin remarked, adding to the commentary on the unfortunate events, “Given the circumstances surrounding such establishments, one questions how this situation could have unfolded as claimed. If there really had been danger, wouldn’t the alleged victim have sought help?” Both personalities expressed frustration about the lack of awareness surrounding Kim's exoneration.
The fallout was substantial—not just for Kim but also for those who surrounded him. Controversially, Kang suggested the scandal stemmed from monetary motivations from multiple parties involved. “The case started and ended with money—requests for payment turned this saga ugly,” he commented, hinting at the manipulation behind media portrayals of Kim's case.
Shin echoed these sentiments, lamenting, “People still do not recognize Kim's acquittal. The tragedy here is not just Kim Gun-mo’s alleged actions but also how public opinion can wreak havoc based on headlines alone. Most only hear the accusations; few understand the verdict.”
Following the fallout, Kim Gun-mo remains out of the public eye, and his return to the entertainment industry, once promising, is now shrouded with uncertainty.
Both Kang and Shin's retrospective sheds light not on just the specifics of Kim Gun-mo's case, but rather on broader societal issues, concerning the media's role and the public's susceptibility to how narratives are framed. From the lens of fame pressured through social media backlash, this incident reveals the drastic consequences faced by public figures even when found innocent.
This incident acts as the perfect reminder of the need for discernment when consuming media—particularly when it concerns sensitive matters like allegations of assault.