Apparently:- The accusations against Ji Soo were never officially recognized as true by any court.- There was…
Yes, the contrast is shocking.
Actor Lee Kyung‑young was actually convicted in 2002 for sexual offenses involving a minor, but he returned to acting after only 2 years. His comeback was possible for several reasons: - he was already an established veteran actor, - he didn’t rely on a “pure”, romantic or youth‑oriented public image, - he mostly played authority figures or villains (roles that don’t require moral innocence), and the industry has a strong demand for older male actors in those parts. - his case was also perceived as a “personal crime” rather than a moral failing tied to youth or education; which makes a big difference in South Korea’s public perception.
This cultural dynamic is difficult to understand (and accept) from a Western perspective, where the hierarchy of moral gravity is very different. But in South Korea, it strongly shapes how scandals are handled and how careers recover. That’s why Ji Soo’s situation is treated much more harshly socially, despite the lack of any legal conviction. Sadly.
So in the end, how did the accusations fall? (I don't mean the breach of contract between the companies, just…
Apparently: - The accusations against Ji Soo were never officially recognized as true by any court. - There was no criminal conviction, no civil ruling confirming the allegations, and no legal decision stating that the claims of school violence were proven. - The only judicial outcome was that the people who posted the accusations were acquitted of defamation — which simply means the court didn’t consider their statements to be punishably false, not that Ji Soo’s guilt was legally established. - Everything else (his apology, the controversy, the end of his contract, and the impact on his career) came from public and industry reaction, not from a legal confirmation of any wrongdoing.
In short: 👉 legally, he was never found guilty; 👉 socially and in the media, he was treated as if he were.
Because Korean society places a very strong emphasis on education, school violence is viewed almost as a moral offense. Even when accusations are unproven, resolved, or withdrawn, the label tends to stick and public perception can linger for a very long time. That’s why a full comeback in the Korean entertainment industry is very unlikely for now; even though he has officially no legal dispute, conviction or ongoing conflict.
This also explains why Ji Soo hasn’t returned to Korean projects, left (had to leave) his previous agency, and is now rebuilding his career abroad.
Just stating facts, dear. Btw, I started watching The East Palace. Still on episode 1. I noticed your 5/10 😯 Without spoiling anything, could you tell me what didn’t work for you? I'm curious.
I was just reacting (LMAO) to the very fitting military wordplay in LucyL’s joke. ‘Ask your commander’ was meant as a playful reference to military rules: since Kwak Dong Yeon is soon to be enlisted, the only (but unfortunately impossible) way to meet him would be to "ask someone higher‑ranked" in the army for permission. The humor comes from the fact that's something nobody could actually ask in real life. It’s the absurdity of the idea that makes the joke particularly funny (in my personal opinion).
Just to clarify: we weren't talking about your wish to meet him. Your first -very sweet and innocent- comment simply gave LucyL an opportunity to make her little military joke, that's all. And of course there’s nothing strange about wanting to meet Kwak Dong Yeon. You’ll just have to wait until he finishes his military service. Or hurry quite a bit before his enlistment. 😉
Such a great list! There are a few gems on here that I've managed to watch which were absolute favourites like…
Oh thank you, dear European friend ! 🙏🏻 I really hope I'll be able to watch those 3 titles soon (Move to Heaven & Lost have been on my PTW list for so long) but I never know what my -erratic- mood will decide 😅
Be Melodramatic Mad For Each OtherMemories of MatsukoPage TurnerChicago Typewriter MUST.WATCH!
Hi July ! So sorry for my late answer. Thx sm for your suggestions ! 🙏🏻 I have already watched Be Melodramatic & Mad for Each Other which I both enjoyed. The other 3 suggested titles have been on my never ending (but hidden) PTW list for a while 😅 but I've now also added them to this "Hidden/Underrated Gems" list thanks to you 😊
12 
35 
3 
1 
1 
5 
2 
Actor Lee Kyung‑young was actually convicted in 2002 for sexual offenses involving a minor, but he returned to acting after only 2 years. His comeback was possible for several reasons:
- he was already an established veteran actor,
- he didn’t rely on a “pure”, romantic or youth‑oriented public image,
- he mostly played authority figures or villains (roles that don’t require moral innocence), and the industry has a strong demand for older male actors in those parts.
- his case was also perceived as a “personal crime” rather than a moral failing tied to youth or education; which makes a big difference in South Korea’s public perception.
This cultural dynamic is difficult to understand (and accept) from a Western perspective, where the hierarchy of moral gravity is very different. But in South Korea, it strongly shapes how scandals are handled and how careers recover.
That’s why Ji Soo’s situation is treated much more harshly socially, despite the lack of any legal conviction. Sadly.
- The accusations against Ji Soo were never officially recognized as true by any court.
- There was no criminal conviction, no civil ruling confirming the allegations, and no legal decision stating that the claims of school violence were proven.
- The only judicial outcome was that the people who posted the accusations were acquitted of defamation — which simply means the court didn’t consider their statements to be punishably false, not that Ji Soo’s guilt was legally established.
- Everything else (his apology, the controversy, the end of his contract, and the impact on his career) came from public and industry reaction, not from a legal confirmation of any wrongdoing.
In short:
👉 legally, he was never found guilty;
👉 socially and in the media, he was treated as if he were.
Because Korean society places a very strong emphasis on education, school violence is viewed almost as a moral offense. Even when accusations are unproven, resolved, or withdrawn, the label tends to stick and public perception can linger for a very long time.
That’s why a full comeback in the Korean entertainment industry is very unlikely for now; even though he has officially no legal dispute, conviction or ongoing conflict.
This also explains why Ji Soo hasn’t returned to Korean projects, left (had to leave) his previous agency, and is now rebuilding his career abroad.
Btw, I started watching The East Palace. Still on episode 1.
I noticed your 5/10 😯
Without spoiling anything, could you tell me what didn’t work for you? I'm curious.
‘Ask your commander’ was meant as a playful reference to military rules: since Kwak Dong Yeon is soon to be enlisted, the only (but unfortunately impossible) way to meet him would be to "ask someone higher‑ranked" in the army for permission.
The humor comes from the fact that's something nobody could actually ask in real life. It’s the absurdity of the idea that makes the joke particularly funny (in my personal opinion).
Just to clarify: we weren't talking about your wish to meet him. Your first -very sweet and innocent- comment simply gave LucyL an opportunity to make her little military joke, that's all.
And of course there’s nothing strange about wanting to meet Kwak Dong Yeon. You’ll just have to wait until he finishes his military service. Or hurry quite a bit before his enlistment. 😉
I really hope I'll be able to watch those 3 titles soon (Move to Heaven & Lost have been on my PTW list for so long) but I never know what my -erratic- mood will decide 😅
Btw, where exactly in Europe are you from ?
You can find better subtitles & interesting sidenotes here: https://productiveprocrastinationsite.wordpress.com/2022/03/29/eng-my-princess-aka-the-dowager-princess-is-above-me-full-movie/
Thx sm for your suggestions ! 🙏🏻
I have already watched Be Melodramatic & Mad for Each Other which I both enjoyed.
The other 3 suggested titles have been on my never ending (but hidden) PTW list for a while 😅 but I've now also added them to this "Hidden/Underrated Gems" list thanks to you 😊
https://kisskh.at/list/LlPJ8B2L
Then you have to log in.