Uncovering the Ugly Hidden Side of the Burning Sun Scandal: A BBC Documentary’s Impact

On May 19th, the BBC, a foreign media outlet, released a documentary titled “Burning Sun: Exposing the secret K-pop chat groups”about the Burning Sun Scandal.

The documentary provided a detailed account of the Burning Sun Scandal, including a clear timeline and explanations of conversations within Jung Joon-young’s group chat, where a drunk woman was group raped. It exposed the objectification of women at drinking parties and featured footage of Seungri, who referred to himself as “Seungsby (Seungri + Gatsby)”, forcibly grabbing a woman’s hand and yelling at her when she refused to go with him.

Furthermore, a victim who had lost consciousness and later woke up to find herself being sexually assaulted and pleading to be let go, gave her own testimony. It was difficult to comprehend how these heinous crimes were able to persist for years under the protection of an influential individual known as the “police chief”in the group chat.

The documentary showcased the perseverance of the reporters leading the investigation into the Burning Sun Case, despite facing various challenges such as extreme stress and even miscarriage. Despite these difficulties, they remained dedicated to uncovering the truth and eventually succeeded in shedding light on the issue. One notable highlight of the documentary was the role played by the late singer Goo Ha-ra, who had a key role in persuading her friend Choi Jong-hoon, one of the perpetrators, to come forward and report the case.

Ultimately, it was revealed that the “police chief”was not a made-up character, but an actual law enforcement officer named Yoon Kyu-geun. As a result of this documentary, the general population was able to learn about Goo Ha-ra’s role in uncovering criminal activity.

It is noteworthy that the BBC, a foreign media outlet, produced this documentary on the Burning Sun Scandal. Despite the general belief that the public was well-informed about the incident, the way in which the story is presented feels more authentic. While there were numerous investigative reports on the scandal from various perspectives when it first emerged, this documentary stands out for its use of actual footage and messages exchanged by those involved. As a foreign media outlet, the BBC was able to shed light on the case in a more unbiased manner, free from any restrictions posed by the Korean situation.

Despite concerns about sensationalism, BBC’s re-examination of the Burning Sun Scandal is viewed as significant because it brings to light more explicit details of the case to the public. Furthermore, the testimony of MD, a former employee of Burning Sun Club, stating that similar incidents are still occurring in Korea, highlights the ongoing nature of the crime and emphasizes the importance of revealing the truth. This also provides an opportunity for the public to acknowledge the bravery of the late Goo Ha-ra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=//www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EEp1q_iMYc