[Comprehensive] "Are You Wearing a Thong?" BJ Gamdongran's Sexual Harassment at Restaurant, Apologizes Saying "I Beg for Forgiveness"

BJ Gamdongran. Photo by BJ Gamdongran, YouTube screen capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] BJ Gamdongran (31, real name Kim So-eun) has expressed distress after being sexually harassed at a restaurant, and the restaurant owner has apologized.

On the 21st, the restaurant owner posted a handwritten letter titled "Sincere Apology to BJ Gamdongran" on their blog. The owner said, "After belatedly hearing about this unfortunate incident, I was so shocked and bewildered that I did not know what to do. Despite my shame and lack of pride, I am posting this apology."

He continued, "I bow and apologize for the discomfort, unpleasant remarks, and gossip made by the staff while the YouTuber was in the restroom, which were broadcasted live, causing humiliation and emotional distress."

The owner added, "I also deeply apologize to the viewers who watched the broadcast and felt anger and profound disappointment. The biggest fault lies with me for not thoroughly educating and managing the staff. If given the chance, I will accept today's criticism and reprimand humbly, and I will faithfully perform my duties with good food and polite, kind behavior."

This incident first came to light on the 19th when BJ Gamdongran uploaded a video filmed at a restaurant on her YouTube channel "Gamdongran TV." In the video, BJ Gamdongran arrived at a restaurant in Busan and was dining when she briefly left her seat to use the restroom.

At that time, the conversation among the restaurant employees was transmitted live to viewers watching the broadcast. The employees made remarks such as, "Is she wearing pants? It doesn't seem like it," "Is she wearing a thong?", "Crazy b****," "Her breasts are fake," and "She's not very pretty."

Viewers watching the live broadcast informed BJ Gamdongran of these comments through the chat.

BJ Gamdongran protested to the restaurant owner, saying, "Just because I'm not at my seat doesn't mean you can talk like that. I paid over 100,000 won to eat here, so why should I be called a 'crazy b****'? I wasn't wearing a thong. I deliberately came during a time when everyone was at work and no one else was here to eat, so why should I be insulted?"

The restaurant owner apologized, saying, "I'm sorry. If you heard it that way, I apologize. We were also shocked, and it was the first time we saw such attire."

Meanwhile, as the incident became controversial, some raised suspicions of it being staged. "Staging" is an internet slang term referring to a kind of fabricated act. Some speculated that Gamdongran herself orchestrated the controversy. In response, BJ Gamdongran rebutted on the 20th, saying, "What restaurant would stage something like this? Would I stage it just to earn 110,000 won?"