After the Me Too Movement in the Performing Arts Industry We Must Be Wary of 'Lenient Returns'
# After the Me Too Movement, We Must Be Cautious of 'Generous Comebacks' in the Performing Arts Industry
The Me Too Movement has brought to light the dark side of the entertainment industry, with numerous allegations of sexual assault and misconduct being exposed. In the midst of this, the recent sentencing of actor Oh Young-soo to one year in prison for sexually assaulting a woman has once again brought attention to the issue of lenient returns in the performing arts industry.
Oh Young-soo, who made history as the first Korean actor to win a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in the hit Netflix series "Squid Game," has been convicted of forcibly groping a woman. This incident serves as a reminder that despite his rise to global stardom, the entertainment industry still has a long way to go in addressing the underlying issues.
The Me Too Movement gained momentum in South Korea in 2018, when prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun appeared on JTBC's "Newsroom" and accused former prosecutor general Ahn Tae-geun of sexual harassment. This sparked a wave of Me Too allegations in various industries, including the performing arts. What was particularly striking was that each time a prominent figure in the industry was accused, there were always whispers of "there are more cases that have yet to be revealed" and "there are still victims who have not come forward." This highlights the strict hierarchy and rigid education system that has long been ingrained in the performing arts industry.
While Oh Young-soo continues to deny the allegations against him and has not yet been sentenced, this case serves as a reminder that there are still many cases that have not come to light in the performing arts industry. Just last year, a Me Too movement centered around a theater group in Gwangju shed light on similar incidents.
Two female theater actors came forward with allegations of sexual violence by two male representatives of the theater group from 2012 to 2018. Some of the perpetrators even threatened to report the victims for adultery if they did not remain silent. This is just one example of the power dynamics and fear that often prevent victims from speaking out.
As someone who is passionate about the performing arts, it is disheartening to see these incidents continue to occur. We must be cautious of "generous comebacks" in the industry, where perpetrators are allowed to return to the spotlight without proper accountability and reflection. The Me Too Movement has brought about much-needed change, but it is up to all of us to continue to hold the industry accountable and create a safe and respectful environment for all. Only then can we truly say that the performing arts industry is moving towards a more inclusive and just future.
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