Floki

The DUI incident still matters because it marked the beginning of her downfall. It’s an integral part of the story and could also be connected to the agency and KSH in certain ways. Ignoring that aspect just to shift focus onto the latest controversy isn’t the best approach, in my opinion.

While the DUI is inexcusable, understanding her mindset at that moment could provide insight into the situation as a whole and help identify ways to prevent similar incidents in the future. It could also be a key factor in taking action against KSH and the agency, though I don’t believe it will head in that direction.

It's not just about the fans, it’s also about general public opinion and how the media portrays her. This has been the case for a while, and there’s a good chance she will always remain at the center of discussions. Her unapologetic nature also plays a role, as some people prefer more reserved celebrities who don’t stir controversy.

The reality is that celebrities will always be public figures subject to scrutiny, especially in South Korea. Asking fans to stop or resorting to insults will only alienate them further rather than help the situation. For real change, there needs to be stronger regulations on what the media is allowed to report, as well as stricter rules on filming and distributing footage without acknowledgment or consent.

Whether or not they are "manufactured" is beside the point. The point was that she faced massive public and media backlash, and it never stopped her from moving forward.

Given her life experiences, she’s undeniably a survivor. But she’s also one of the most controversial female celebrities, largely because of her attitude and that she doesn’t seem to give a what.

I’d recommend looking it up. While smoking is part of the issue (South Korea takes exemplarity seriously, for better or worse), that’s not what I’m referring to. When a celebrity loses deals and sponsorships, it qualifies as a scandal, regardless of how you personally define it.

She’s been involved in her fair share of scandals. So far it never stopped her.

In recent years, she has appeared extremely underweight. While I believe she meant what she said, I can’t help but wonder if she truly needs to be this thin. Not all actresses follow the same standards, but it's a noticeable trend, especially with K-pop idols, who are often shamed for gaining even the slightest amount of weight, no matter how unreasonable.

Those statements were not considered speculation, you are the one labeling them as such. You should apply your own reasoning to yourself. Right now, you're attempting to redefine the rules, arbitrarily deciding what qualifies as a valid source based solely on your opinion. While it's true that any news outlet can spread false information, that doesn’t mean all their reporting is automatically unreliable.

I encouraged the other person to fact-check because that’s the only way to determine whether the information is legitimate. Lies and manipulation can happen at any level, but dismissing evidence without any counterproof doesn’t make you the sole arbiter of truth.

I never claimed you were bound by my rules. I presented a rational and logical argument for why I consider this information more accurate than not. You, on the other hand, dismissed it as speculation without providing any evidence. I backed up my points with sources, statements (including from KSR), and corroborating pictures, whereas you refuted everything while attempting to discredit me, without offering a single piece of counterevidence. This isn't about my 'rules'; it’s about determining what constitutes valid information.

I’m more than open to being corrected with actual evidence because this is about the truth, not about boosting my ego. If there’s any new or existing element that contradicts my sources or proves them unreliable, feel free to share it.

I hope that clarifies my stance.

EDIT:
"On February 19th, Choi Jeong-ah, an entertainment reporter, appeared on the Channel A’ show “Happy Morning”. Here, Reporter Choi Jeong-ah mentioned that she saw Kim Sae-ron working at a cafe [...] The owner of the cafe where Kim Sae-ron worked at the time said, “Kim Sae-ron saw the note at the time, and after seeing the note, she went up to the rooftop and cried for a long time“.

Mega Coffee did not confirm that information though, and they did make the statement denying she worked there. The reporter's statement was made as an apology. If true, this would contradict the coffee shop's claim, making their statement false. Given the context, it’s reasonable to doubt that Choi Jeong-ah is lying about this.

It still amazes me how they keep messing up, despite the money and power they have. You’d think the simplest task, examining the pictures for anything that contradicts their narrative, wouldn’t be so hard.

I'm not sure what gave you the impression that I need to calm down. In fact, it seems like you're projecting, considering you were the one saying 'give it a rest!' and 'Just. Stop. It.', only to start a sentence you never finished with 'ah, wtf, never mind.'

These are emotional responses, I don't think this needs explanation. You're attempting to make a point while avoiding elaboration, dismissing the entire argument without addressing any specific claims or providing evidence. At this rate, the conversation isn't going anywhere.

Thanks for your time, but I’m not interested in playing games. If you have something meaningful to contribute, I'd be happy to continue the discussion.

How ridiculous. You're refuting everything based on what, exactly? What makes these sources questionable? If you're going to engage in a conversation, don't do it halfway, actually argue your point.

Right now, you just seem annoyed, and being emotional doesn't prove your claims; if anything, it does the opposite. So either demonstrate that these sources are spreading false information, despite being from one of the top three news sources in South Korea, or don't engage in the discussion.

Maybe you should reach out to the admins of MDL instead, these articles will always attract and trigger people. It's not exactly the place for this stuff either, but they don't seem to be against it.

Not sure why you quoted me though, as if you had read my comments you would have realized I encouraged to fact check and shared ressources. That being said if these articles or comments make you uncomfortable, it might be better for you to ignore them.

You don't have to take my statements as facts, you can fact check and this is exactly why I shared the name of both companies

Just go to https://www.chosun.com/ and look at the articles (there are many) from 2023/03.
"We have confirmed that Kim Sae-ron has never worked as a regular part-timer at any store in the country, [...]I know that Kim Sae-ron's friend worked part-time at a store in Gyeonggi-do, but Kim Sae-ron never worked there either. The part-time worker known to be Kim Sae-ron's friend also quit in September of last year. We are currently reviewing measures to take against Kim Sae-ron in relation to this."

Then she was spotted playing poker
https://www.dispatch.co.kr/2244747
"There is nothing wrong with Kim Sae-ron enjoying Hold'em. However, the way she handles chips at the poker table… seems far removed from complaining about financial difficulties."

https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/enter_general/2023/05/10/KCNRSKECFPBADKJVRWXCF5ILSE/
During this process, Kim Sae-ron's side claimed financial difficulties, but was criticized even more when she was seen playing games at a hold'em pub. In response, Kim Sae-ron said, "I have never complained about financial difficulties," and "It is true that I have a part-time job, and it is true that the penalty is high," revealing her feelings of injustice.

There you will also see that she worked as a florist.

Those aren't my statements, they're theirs. You can trust who you choose based on your criteria, but in the end, you rely on sources to form your opinion. The rest is just speculation, and if you go too far, it becomes fanfiction.

I share all the information because it's about the truth, not about picking sides. Just because she lied about some things doesn’t mean everything is a lie. That's why evidence matters.

If you start rejecting all forms of evidence outright, that is when bias comes into play because you end up arbitrarily selecting which evidence is convenient for you and from which side. I am not saying it is impossible, but it is highly unlikely, especially since reporters (Sports Chosun) reached out for confirmation from the coffee shop representative (Mega Coffee).

Analyzing the situation based on what we know, it makes sense that she would try to use the coffee shop picture in that context. However, when she had to explain herself, she did not confirm she was working at that specific coffee shop. She only stated that she was working part-time and was NOT struggling financially. When I talk about arbitrarily choosing interpretations, it is when people would start saying, "Yeah, but she was forced to say she was not struggling." It is not that this scenario is impossible, but it leans too far into speculation rather than fact. That is why I base my opinion on what we know so far. If any evidence emerges proving that the coffee shop's statement was false, that would change the discussion. But without that, you cannot claim it is untrue without proof.

I am also not a big fan of the "she was forced to share that photo" argument, just like she was not forced to drive under the influence and flee the scene. Acknowledging her responsibility does not minimize the impact of KSH or the agency. She was an adult with financial means, and while she may have felt that posting the picture was the only way to get an answer from them, was it truly her only option? Likely not. That said, there is evidence suggesting that the agency pressured her into repaying them after initially stating she did not have to.

As for KSR’s family, I am not sure what kind of strategy they are playing. It seems like they were not against her relationship with KSH when it began. Allowing a teenage daughter to meet up with someone his age, regardless of how famous he was, is concerning. There is also the question of what they could have done to support her before she took her own life. Many things happened, and it is difficult to completely exclude their responsibility in this situation. It is not as if KSH kidnapped her from her family.

If they want to reveal more information, they should just do so. Right now, it feels like they are trying to pressure the agency into action, but I am unsure if it is truly about getting an apology or if financial retribution is the goal. I have no doubt they are deeply saddened by what happened, but their approach is confusing. If they hold KSH responsible and have definitive proof of wrongdoing, revealing everything outright would likely be more effective than dropping vague hints.

By bending the rules, I mean ignoring or altering them to serve their own interests. I strongly believe they are not afraid to break the law when it suits them and when they have the opportunity. The way they allegedly pressured her seems like a clear example of this. If anything, there might be enough to build a case on this aspect alone.

As for the loopholes, I see the grooming and her relationship with KSH as more representative of that. Since the law doesn’t explicitly forbid such relationships, and proving grooming took place would be extremely difficult, it remains a grey area (and shouldn't be).

The coffee shop she claimed to have worked at denied her employment, stating that she had never worked at any of their locations. However, they later confirmed that one of her friends was employed there.

She later contradicted her initial statement, clarifying that she was not struggling financially, something only she confirmed. She made this statement in response to YouTubers and netizens sharing details about her assets, including cars and homes.

Given that she was set to face a judge, some speculated that she posted the photo to gain sympathy and a more lenient ruling. Notably, she shared the picture herself, it wasn’t taken by clients or passersby. She did confirm that she was working part-time, but posting that picture was a misstep. Whether it was an intentional strategy or just poor judgment is up for debate, but it was likely too soon and poorly timed.

This is where we disagree. This wasn’t just one mistake but several. That doesn’t mean she deserved what happened in any way. Apologizing was the right thing to do, but the agency covered the costs, which left her in debt to them.

She wasn’t given a second chance largely because of the inconsistencies between what she presented and reality. That doesn’t justify the hatred she received, but multiple things can be true at once. She made mistakes, and she was also pressured and may have taken her own life due to her connection with KSH.

In South Korea, celebrities rarely get second chances, and when they do, timing and execution are crucial. Having her agency pay for the damage didn’t help her image either. She was supposed to make a come back for a theatrical production I believe, which was a good move. It really sucks that what happened with her agency and KSH probably made her take her own life instead.

This is getting ridiculous, I guess you didn’t get the point after all. Either way, thanks. Good talk.

I honestly believe it’s about more than just lacking backing power, and influence. It’s also about making the right decisions and surrounding yourself with the right people, something that isn’t always easy, especially when you’ve fallen from grace.

She made mistakes along the way, not just the DUI (where she attempted to flee) but also the coffee shop job that turned into a scandal. I truly believe there were ways for her to make a comeback. However, this situation is far more complex, as she may have been groomed from a very young age, strengthening her attachment to KSH.

Some things were within her control, but the influence of KSH and his agency played such a significant role that, while I hold her accountable for her actions and mistakes, the other parties involved should also be held responsible (if found guilty) for what happened to her.

Right, you’re JUST asking questions, completely without bias, OF COURSE. You either get the point or you don’t...

I'm not here to play games, to be honest. Either state your mind and contribute to the conversation, or don’t. There’s no point in wasting time pretending you didn’t mean what you clearly implied. It’s obvious where you stand, so there’s no need to act otherwise.

And if, by some absurd chance, you genuinely believe this is just a coincidence, then your actions contradict your own thoughts. But that doesn’t make the supposed coincidence any less probable than it actually is.

In theory, maybe. But we’re dealing with a celebrity who built this agency and is directly involved in the situation. He also convinced her to switch agencies. It’s not uncommon for celebrities and powerful individuals to bend the rules as much as possible, and they have far more resources, whether through pressure or financial means, to resolve issues in their favor.

This agency initially ignored her and later pressured her. While this may be common in the industry, it shouldn’t be considered normal, nor does it align with the rules. Believing otherwise would be rather naive. She shouldn’t have to call an accountant to figure out how to pay, especially when they first told her she didn’t owe anything, only to later change their stance and pressure her, which seems to be what happened here.