Shinhan University, Department Head of Performing Arts Dismissed on the 19th
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actor Lee Beom-soo (54), who has been embroiled in allegations of power abuse against his students, is leaving the university where he has been affiliated for over a decade since 2014. On the 31st, a representative from his agency Big Punch Entertainment stated, "Lee Beom-soo recently submitted his resignation to Shinhan University." Lee had served as the head of the Department of Performing Arts at Shinhan University since 2014.
A person identified as A, claiming to be a current student at Shinhan University, posted on an online community last month that they had been subjected to power abuse by Lee Beom-soo. A alleged that Professor Lee discriminated by dividing students into Class A, favored and wealthy students, and Class B, poor and disliked students. Due to this, students competed to gain the professor’s favor, becoming like slaves, even spying on each other, A revealed. Furthermore, A claimed that Lee inflicted personal insults and gaslighting, causing half of the first-year students to take leaves of absence or drop out, sparking controversy.
In response, Big Punch Entertainment denied the allegations, stating, "There has been no discrimination or verbal abuse against students. All other allegations are also groundless."
Shinhan University conducted an audit regarding the related allegations. President Kang Sung-jong sent a message to students and staff, saying, "We will carry out a thorough investigation without any doubt regarding this incident." The university reportedly decided on the 19th to dismiss Lee Beom-soo from his position as department head and is currently reviewing the procedures.
In reaction, 51 students majoring in Acting and Directing in the Department of Performing Arts at Shinhan University issued a statement expressing, "We are deeply frustrated and devastated by the rampant baseless speculation based on unverified information related to Professor Lee Beom-soo and the resulting unreasonable measures." They added, "Neither the identity of the whistleblower nor accurate testimonies or evidence regarding the report have been confirmed, and the student council’s own investigation has found zero cases so far."
The students voiced, "The university’s decision deceives the students who were watching with hopes that the incident would be resolved smoothly and the department would return to normal."
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