A Korean celebrity who was convicted for sexually assaulting minors has hinted at his feelings after sparking controversy by mentioning activities as a Japanese adult film actor. His recent social media update suggests a plea for the ongoing public scrutiny to cease.
The Origin of the Controversy
Earlier, on July 12th, Ko Young Wook (also known as Go Young Wook) ignited a firestorm of public discussion with a social media post. He wrote, “I just wanted to live happily making people laugh. It seems hard to find a job in Korea,” adding, “I think I saw somewhere that there is a shortage of male adult film actors in Japan. If it’s legally possible.” This comment, widely circulated, immediately sparked the intense controversy that has since drawn widespread public attention.
Ko Young Wook Addresses the Outcry
On the 14th, Ko Young Wook shared a screenshot of related articles on his social media account, accompanying it with a brief and poignant comment: “Please stop now…” This plea for an end to the public outcry came amidst attempts to clarify the true nature of his earlier remarks.
Related articles later explained that Ko Young Wook’s recent remarks about potentially becoming a Japanese adult film actor were not announcements of actual plans but rather self-deprecating jokes. These comments were described as expressions of his profound frustration and helplessness regarding his current reality and blocked path back into the industry. Alongside this, he quoted a passage from Maria Tumarkin‘s book *How to Not Speak of Pain*. The excerpt included a powerful message saying, “No one should be punished beyond the sentence handed down by the court. But communities, people, do punish.”
Despite these explanations that his remark was a self-deprecating expression of his blocked comeback, rather than an actual plan to enter the Japanese adult film industry, public criticism did not subside easily. The severity of his past offenses continues to weigh heavily on public perception.
Background: Legal History and Persistent Struggles
Ko Young Wook was sentenced to two years and six months in prison in 2013 for sexual crimes against minors. The court also ordered five years of public disclosure of his personal information and three years of electronic location tracking, underscoring the serious legal repercussions of his actions.
After his release, Ko Young Wook attempted to restart his activities, notably by launching a YouTube channel. However, societal criticism over his criminal record repeatedly hindered his comeback efforts, highlighting the immense challenge of rehabilitation and public acceptance in the entertainment industry. Earlier this year, he had posted messages expressing significant difficulties in making a living, such as “In a world that completely rejects me, what am I supposed to do?” and “Isn’t there any way to at least earn money for dog food?” These posts further underscore the ongoing struggles he faces in rebuilding his life and finding any form of stable employment.
