“This Is Part of the Job”… High School Senior Aspiring to Be a Singer Pressured to Provide Sexual Favors

[ 10/6/2010 ]

An arrest warrant has been requested for the head of an entertainment agency accused of forcing underage aspiring female singers to provide sexual favors. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Metropolitan Investigation Unit said on the 7th that it had requested an arrest warrant for Kim (31), head of entertainment agency H, on allegations including violations of the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth Against Sex Offenses. According to police, Kim received 46 million won in “sponsorship fees” from a fabric merchant (41) in February and allegedly forced two aspiring singers under exclusive contract with his agency, identified as A (17, a high school senior) and B (20), to have sex with the merchant on about 10 occasions. Investigators said Kim threatened A when she refused, telling her, “This is part of the job, so do it properly.” He allegedly warned that if she stopped coming to the agency, he would demand substantial damages from her parents, pressuring her to comply. Police said Kim kept about 30 million won—roughly 65% of the 46 million won he received. He reportedly told investigators that he gave the remainder to A and B as gifts, cash and payment for dental treatment. Kim strongly denied the allegations, claiming the money was an investment in a clothing store he operated online. Police said their review of bank records showed that none of it was used to run the store. Police also booked the merchant without detaining him. H’s co-CEO, Kim’s girlfriend Shim (24), reportedly gained recognition in the entertainment industry this year through her work as a broadcaster.