A new documentary by BBC Eye, titled “Burning Sun: Exposing the Secret K-pop Chat Groups,” sheds light on the dark underbelly of the K-pop industry. Released on May 19th on the “BBC News Korea” YouTube channel, the film highlights the investigative efforts of journalists Park Hyo-sil and Kang Kyung-Joon, who played important roles in disclosing the shocking sexual scandal involving several prominent K-pop stars.
The documentary showcases the harrowing journey of these journalists as they uncovered the hidden lives of seemingly untouchable celebrities. Park Hyo-sil, the first to report on Jung Joon-young’s illegal filming allegations in September 2016, shared how Jung’s ex-girlfriend was intimidated by legal threats, leading her to retract her complaint. This initial setback did not deter the journalists, who persisted in their investigation.
Jung Joon-young’s refusal to submit his phone to the police and his decision to hand it over to a private forensic company instead played a pivotal role in the delayed exposure of his crimes. Journalist Park criticized the police for their lackluster investigation, which relied on a report from the forensic company rather than a direct examination of the phone.
Three years later, the leaked contents of Jung Joon-young’s phone revealed incriminating evidence, including videos and conversations that exposed his misconduct. Journalist Kang Kyung-Yoon, who obtained the KakaoTalk messages, noted the disturbing nature of the videos, which featured Jung Joon-young and fellow singer Choi Jong-hoon in compromising situations with women.
The documentary emphasizes the power dynamics in the chat group, where Seungri, a former member of the K-pop supergroup Big Bang, was a dominant figure. Seungri, who branded himself as the “Jay Gatsby of Korea,” was known for his lavish party lifestyle, which was meticulously documented in promotional videos.
Public reaction to the documentary has been one of outrage and disbelief, with many viewers expressing their disgust at the lenient punishments received by the involved celebrities. Comments such as “It’s amazing they got out of prison” and “How are such scumbags not serving life sentences” reflect the widespread anger and demand for justice.
The documentary, which will be aired as a series on the BBC News TV channel starting in June, is currently available in Korean on the BBC News Korea YouTube channel. This exposé serves as a striking reminder of the hidden darkness inside the glitzy world of K-pop, calling for greater accountability and justice for the victims.
