Twin sisters Lee Jae-young (left) and Lee Da-young, who share a team at Heungkuk Life. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] The backlash against the twin sisters Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young of the women's professional volleyball team Heungkuk Life, who have recently been embroiled in a school violence controversy, is intensifying. The broadcasting and advertising industries quickly began 'erasing traces,' and with the two players leaving the team dormitory, their return timeline has become uncertain.
According to the advertising industry on the 12th, following the recent school violence controversy involving the Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young sisters, advertisements featuring them have rapidly disappeared.
The advertisement featuring twin players Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young for an automobile company has been set to private on the official YouTube channel. [Image source = Kia Motors commercial video capture]
A representative case is Kia Motors' Stinger Meister commercial. The 30-second advertisement featured the sisters' childhood photos and conversations after training. It was the first time volleyball players appeared as car commercial models. The slogan "The twins are riding" also gained popularity.
However, after the school violence controversy, Kia Motors changed the advertisement featuring the twins to private on its official YouTube channel. They did not issue any separate statement after pulling the ad.
Last April, sisters Lee Da-young and Lee Jae-young appeared on tvN's "You Quiz on the Block." Currently, this episode is no longer available for replay. [Image source = Broadcast screen capture]
The broadcasting industry's 'cut-off' movement has also begun. The tvN program 'You Quiz on the Block,' which they appeared on in April last year, and the T-cast E Channel program 'Playing Sister,' aired in August of the same year, deleted their episodes from the replay service on the 11th. On the following day, the Channel A variety show 'Eye Contact' also removed their episodes from the replay service. Clips featuring them were deleted from related portal sites and official websites as well.
A post claiming to have been a victim of school violence by sisters Lee Jaeyoung and Dayoung. [Image source = Screenshot from an online community]
Earlier on the 10th, a post claiming to be a victim of school violence by the Lee Jae-young and Da-young sisters was published on an online community. The post titled "Current volleyball players who are victims of school violence" detailed the twins' school violence offenses.
The author, who said they had played together with the twins in elementary and middle school volleyball teams, revealed, "If the twins didn't like someone, they insulted and cursed their parents, calling them 'your XX, XX,' and when errands were refused, they threatened with a knife," adding, "They frequently collected money, pinched stomachs, bit lips, gathered people, and hit heads."
As the controversy spread, the Lee Jae-young and Da-young sisters posted apologies on their respective Instagram accounts. In handwritten apology letters, they said, "We sincerely apologize to those who suffered due to our wrong words and actions during school," and "We feel deep remorse and will reflect and keep a low profile."
However, criticism against them intensified even after the Instagram apologies. In particular, after the apology, it was revealed that Lee Da-young unfollowed teammate Kim Yeon-koung's Instagram account, sparking renewed rumors of discord between the two players.
Petition demanding the 'permanent expulsion' of the two players [Image source = Screenshot from the Blue House National Petition Board]
On the 10th, a petition demanding the 'permanent expulsion' of the two players was posted on the Blue House's national petition board. The petition titled "Demanding a thorough investigation and strict response to the women's volleyball player school violence incident" stated, "Recently, people claiming to have been victims of school violence by women's professional volleyball players have come forward, but the Volleyball Federation has neglected this and has not conducted any investigation or disciplinary action," and urged, "The Volleyball Federation should permanently expel the players involved."
Currently, the two players have left the team dormitory and are resting at home. Without the two players, Heungkuk Life played an away match against Korea Expressway Corporation at Gimcheon Indoor Gymnasium on the 11th in the 'Dodram 2020-21 V-League' women's 5th round. The match ended in 1 hour and 16 minutes, the shortest game time this season. Heungkuk Life suffered a 0-3 defeat, marking their third consecutive loss.
Before the match against Korea Expressway Corporation, Heungkuk Life coach Park Mi-hee told reporters, "As you know, the team atmosphere is not good," and added, "The most difficult thing is to pull the team atmosphere together." Regarding the twins' return, she said, "We are reviewing it, but it won't be easy," suggesting a long-term absence.
Despite the quick apologies, as public criticism surrounding them grows stronger, negative effects are expected not only on their club team but also on the national team, which has secured a spot in the Tokyo Olympics.
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