Floki

It's used that way in the UK, but since MDL is international and considering the usage of the word to describe excessive devotion, this is a poor choice of word.

I’m not saying it’s always the parents’ fault, but there is certainly room for action and supervision, especially in a context where we know bad things can happen. If you ignore the possibility of those bad things, that’s negligence.

And once again, you keep presenting the opposite extreme to try to disprove my point. This shows either an inability or unwillingness to address my argument. More than that, you’re putting words in my mouth, even though I’ve clearly said there’s no need to control everything your child does, just to supervise. I’m not sure how else to explain this, since you keep interpreting my words your way and building your argument on those misinterpretations.

Ensuring a trustworthy person is present on set and preventing her from being in any situation where he could exploit his position and popularity to groom her, that’s what could have prevented this relationship. Preventing that relationship might have also prevented her from taking her own life. It’s not about overprotecting, it’s about ensuring your child’s safety in an unsafe environment. Unless, of course, you believe this industry is wholesome and healthy, despite the numerous scandals and abuse over the years. Ultimately, it’s the parents’ responsibility to protect their child from potential harm.

Are you suggesting that KSR's family fabricated these documents? Because they came from them.

At this point, most evidence points to some form of grooming. If that's proven, I don’t think we can simply call grooming a teenage girl "a mistake".

Not the same pressure at all, no. He was interrogated for 19hours and was pressured by the authorities and the media. He was also blackmailed. The situations are completely different. What does "having more brain" even mean? It has nothing to do with that.

I doubt they planned to release anything. Based on their statements, they’ve only asked for an apology. Clearly, KSH and his agency’s denial of the relationship, followed by their claim that it only happened when she was an adult, wasn’t enough. They don’t need to blame anyone else, they are already suing the YouTuber they hold responsible for the outcome. But they also want to restore her honor, and stop people from lying, this includes KSH.

So far, they have only asked him for an apology, not money. However, they are suing the YouTuber who spread the articles, which they claim played a role in her decision to take her own life.

KSR’s mother stated, “The reason I am speaking about a child who has already left me is because I want to restore her honor, which was destroyed in a split second by articles full of lies. I am not trying to gain anything or create conflict.”

KSH and his agency initially denied the relationship ever happened. Later, they claimed it only began when she was an adult. Now, screenshots released by the family suggest otherwise, showing that it may have started before she was of age. Since they are not asking for money, at least not publicly, it seems their main goal is to set the record straight.

They released text messages. Why does a teenager even have the phone number of an adult his age? On set, there aren’t many opportunities to flirt. This usually happens during breaks or outside of work. Most actors and actresses have agents or managers to help them navigate the industry, meaning there’s no real reason for a minor to have direct contact with these adults. It’s also common for people to have a relative as their manager, adding another layer of supervision.

If you’re paying attention to your child, you should notice when something is off, like when they’re constantly texting, smiling, and looking unusually happy while doing it. If you’re completely unaware of your kid’s life, that’s negligence. If you choose to ignore clear signs, that’s even worse. Either way, the parents bear responsibility, regardless of whether their inaction was intentional or not. Just because many parents don’t know their teenagers doesn’t mean that’s how it should be. The truth is, some people shouldn’t be parents in the first place.

You’re talking about overprotection while I’m talking about a lack of supervision. Stating the opposite extreme doesn’t disprove my point. It just sidesteps the issue. That’s not an argument, it’s just contradiction. I can only recommend you to look up Graham's hierarchy of disagreement.

I’ll say it again. This industry has shown time and time again that it can be dangerous. It doesn’t matter if the adult has a pretty face, power, or influence. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to protect your child. You can respect their privacy the same way you allow them to hang out with friends their age, but that also means asking questions about where they are, what they’re doing, and who they’re spending time with. It’s not about hovering over them 24/7. It’s about truly knowing your child, even when you know they’ll likely lie or hide things from you.

And let’s be clear. No one said parents should monitor their kids every second of the day. That’s just another strawman argument. Supervision isn’t the same as control.

I’m sure KSR is really grateful for her “respectful” parents right now.

I strongly disagree with what you just said. Having been a teenager myself, I know firsthand that without proper supervision, they often push boundaries too far. That’s natural, but it doesn’t mean parents should just step back and see what happens. That’s not parenting, that’s gambling. Raising a child isn’t just about providing food and shelter, it’s about educating them, guiding them, and making sure they understand that serious consequences exist if they’re not careful.

Even then, no matter how much you warn a child, they may not fully understand the risks. But that’s beside the point, the relationship we’re discussing happened due to a lack of supervision. My child would never be left alone with someone in this industry without proper oversight, whether that’s security or a trusted relative ensuring nothing inappropriate is happening.

As for “doing things behind their backs”, what are we even talking about here? This industry has already seen enough scandals and tragedies worldwide. You can’t just hope for the best, you have to actively take steps to protect your child. If you don’t, the consequences could be lifelong trauma or worse.

Ignoring such a relationship is completely unacceptable, and being unaware of it is deeply concerning. There is more than enough information about this industry, and similar cases worldwide, to know that a child should never be left alone with other people.

That being said, her family and KSH do not share the same level of responsibility. Negligence, no matter how serious, is never on par with predatory behavior.

Teenagers have minds of their own, which makes it even more important to look out for them. As adults, and especially as parents, we should know better. They do bear some responsibility in all this, having encouraged her to pursue this career without enough supervision. But they’ve also paid the highest price, losing their child and carrying that weight for the rest of their lives. In that sense, calling them “trash” feels far too harsh.

You already know the answer. If they've sided with him this far, it's safe to assume they'll stay in denial. Some people simply can't accept reality and will always find ways to ignore or challenge evidence, no matter how strong.

There seems to be some confusion, people did not forget about KSR's controversy at that time. It happened around the same time she faced a judge for the DUI case. Freedom of the press is complex, but there should be clearer boundaries to prevent harassment. The media as a whole bear responsibility, and Lee Jin Ho is no exception.

Posting that picture was a poor decision, especially when she was already an easy target. Still, it's understandable why she saw it as potential leverage. Whatever mistakes she made, she paid for them with her life. Now, those who played a role in this situation should be held accountable.

Many people feel compelled to choose a side and stick with it. However, the reality is rarely black and white, responsibility is often shared. This tendency can come from a lack of maturity, among other factors. The parents are definitely responsible for their child, and the predators are even more responsible for being the way they are.

I don’t believe it’s the user’s fault if a website that should focus on movies and dramas allows scandals and clickbait articles. When people see these articles, they may feel compelled to create an account just to share their thoughts. This is MDL’s responsibility. They should either dedicate a separate section for gossip and scandals or stop sharing these stories altogether. However, that’s unlikely to happen since these articles get them clicks and revenue.

It's important to clarify the issues at hand. Responsibility is shared, but that doesn’t make KSH any less of a predator just because KSR’s parents didn’t do enough to protect their child from him. The primary and most urgent concern is that an adult allegedly groomed a middle schooler.

KSH is a wealthy and influential figure, and both he and his agency have been caught lying multiple times. Additionally, numerous celebrities have reportedly had negative experiences with him. He is the central threat in this situation and should remain the main focus.

The parents, who ultimately lost their child, do bear responsibility. They pushed her into the entertainment industry without ensuring she had the necessary protection. From what I understand, KSH assured them he would take responsibility. While the timeline of when they became aware remains unclear, a teenage girl should never have been allowed to spend time alone with someone his age without security or proper supervision.

She was already earning money and had become the family's primary provider. That should have been reason enough to ensure she was protected.

"This is more than just a scandal- it’s a wake-up call to the entertainment industry and fans alike".

Is it, though? I worry this will just be another name on the list. People will move on, and the industry will stay the same because the system won’t change.

When your counterargument begins with "except," it signals something important. Once again, you don’t personally determine what qualifies as a controversy, media and public opinion do.

Refusing to look up relevant information only shows that you're choosing to ignore facts that don’t align with your narrative. If you want to assess a situation fairly, you should consider all available information, whether you like it or not. Otherwise, you'll come across as biased.

This isn’t about personal opinions on her image, it’s about objectively verifiable events throughout her career. She has faced backlash for various reasons, and while some of it may seem unfair (especially from an international perspective), that doesn’t make her any less controversial as a public figure.

She has been criticized for issues involving her mother, smoking, tattoos, and being mistaken for her on-screen roles. Her demeanor at certain events led to speculation about drug or alcohol use, and her handling of her ex also sparked discussion (or should I say controversies?). Unlike the typical Korean celebrity with a "perfect" image, she challenges conventional expectations, which makes her actions more scrutinized. This heightened attention ensures that, fair or not, people will always react strongly to what she does.

My comment didn’t imply anything, I’m responsible for what I say, not for how you interpret it. I never claimed she lost deals before that particular scandal (I don't know). I simply said she has had her fair share of scandals and controversies, meaning she has faced more challenges than the average celebrity, partly due to her real-life persona.

I’m not criticizing her for who she is or how she chooses to present herself. However, she has always been a controversial figure, whether people like it or not, and I don’t see that changing. She is simply staying true to the person she wants to be.

I haven't watched Hierarchy, but I get a bit of the darker Pyramid Game vibe in this one, though it definitely has its own unique feel and the plot is completely different.

It's definitely unhealthy, and there’s no way to fully prepare anyone for such immense pressure without it taking a toll on their mental health.

Real change would likely require major industry figures to unite and push back, big names with enough influence to pressure the government into enacting stricter laws. The most tragic part is that so many lives have been lost that it’s almost become normalized, yet nothing is truly changing.

You're highlighting cultural differences so vast that I honestly can't see how this could follow a similar path. While U.S. celebrities may have been more controlled in the past, they were never held to the same standards of exemplarity. Even today, many build their careers on carefully crafted images, despite seeming more relaxed or "cool," they’re still performing a persona (Chris Pratt and Ryan Reynolds are good examples).

There are also cases that contradict your point. One of the biggest trials of the century involved an American celebrity, Johnny Depp, who was blacklisted despite being the victim. Years later, the narrative shifted, and he regained his popularity. Before that, we saw Shia LaBeouf’s public breakdown. More recently, there was the controversy surrounding Rachel Zegler, whether one agrees with her or not is irrelevant.

The key difference, in my opinion, is that Western audiences AND authorities don’t care as much if their celebrities break the law or use drugs (unless they are caught on the act). In South Korea if there is a rumor on a celebrity taking drugs, there will be a massive investigation. They also have more control over their public image, with the ability to shape the narrative and hide scandals from the public (the P. Diddy case is a clear example). It takes a major controversy for the West to react, and when they do, public outrage tends to explode.

When I say, "The reality is that celebrities will always be public figures subject to scrutiny," I mean that being in the public eye naturally makes someone vulnerable to public opinion. Some celebrities even leverage this to boost their popularity. I doubt this will ever change, people love gossip too much. What can change, however, is media coverage, which directly shapes how celebrities are perceived. To me, that’s the real issue, because while you can't change the masses, you can regulate how narratives are built and spread.