What is Burning Sun Scandal And How is Jung Joon Young Involved in Sexual Offenses? All You Need to Know

Burning Sun Scandal: A recent BBC documentary has brought renewed attention to the Burning Sun scandal, exposing disturbing messages from the Burning Sun chatroom where participants discussed their criminal activities. The documentary revisits the scandal and unveils the identities of key figures such as Seungri, Jung Joon Young, and Choi Jong Hoon, leaving many netizens in shock.

What is the Burning Sun Scandal?

The Burning Sun scandal, also known as Burning Sun Gate, was a major 2019 entertainment and sex scandal in Seoul, South Korea, involving numerous celebrities, including prominent K-pop idols, as well as police officials. The release of a BBC documentary has recently rekindled public interest in this extensive case.

The scandal sent shockwaves through the K-pop industry, implicating multiple idols such as Seungri (BIGBANG), Jung Joon Young, Jonghyun (CNBLUE), Junhyung (Highlight), and Jonghun (F.T. Island). These individuals were found to be involved in, and even operating a covert sex chatroom. Here’s a look at the controversy and its unfolding events.

Jung Joon Young’s Involvement in Sexual Offenses

The Burning Sun nightclub case is the primary incident connected to the chatroom scandal. The incident started on January 28, 2019, when the MBC Newsdesk revealed that in November 2018, a staff member at Burning Sun, a well-known nightclub in Gangnam, was accused of assaulting a male patron. Prostitution, drug trafficking, and police corruption related to the club were quickly added to the scope of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s investigation. Following accusations of sexual bribery, BIGBANG, one of the club’s directors, subsequently announced his resignation from the entertainment sector on March 11, 2019.

After musician and performer Jung Joon Young admitted to surreptitiously filming himself having intercourse with women and spreading the tapes without their knowledge or agreement, the story swiftly grew to include claims of rape and spy cams. The previously stated Jung Joon Young KakaoTalk chatrooms were linked to this disclosure.

How Chatrooms Esclated The Burning Sun Scandal?

The Jung Joon Young KakaoTalk chatrooms played a pivotal role in the Burning Sun scandal, intertwining through leaked messages that exposed criminal activities at the nightclub. The messages, spanning from 2015 to 2016, revealed heinous acts, including gang rape and illegal filming, involving Jung Joon Young and his acquaintances. Key figures implicated included Choi Jong Hoon of F.T. Island, a former Burning Sun employee named Kim, businessman Kwon, and a former YG Entertainment employee named Heo. The scandal deepened as more celebrities were linked.

On March 14, 2019, Yong Jun Hyung of HIGHLIGHT and Choi Jong Hoon retired from their music groups after admitting their involvement. Yong Jun Hyung confessed to watching an unauthorized sex tape and participating in inappropriate conversations, while Choi Jong Hoon disclosed a covered-up drunk driving incident aided by a police official. Lee Jonghyun of CNBLUE also admitted to viewing the videos and making derogatory remarks about women, leading to his departure from the band.

Burning Sun Scandal (Picture credit: X)

Other entertainers, including Cha Tae Hyun and Kim Jun Ho, were implicated in alleged overseas gambling. Jung Joon Young was arrested on March 21, 2019, facing charges related to crimes against at least ten victims. Subsequently, Roy Kim and Kangin of Super Junior were investigated for their involvement in the chatrooms, though Kangin’s agency denied any illegal activities. On May 12, 2020, appellate courts reduced the sentences for Jung, Choi, and Kim, highlighting the ongoing repercussions of the scandal.