Lee Jun-seok "Erotic Story Writer" vs Jang Ye-chan "Realistic Sexual Bribery"

Novel Using Real Names of Female Celebrities... Jang Ye-chan Says "It's Just a Novel"

Jang Ye-chan, a candidate for the Youth Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, responded to the controversy over his past web novel allegedly sexualizing female celebrities by stating that it was a "100% fictional fantasy novel" and that he "did not anticipate the controversy."

On the 27th, Jang appeared on BBS Buddhist Broadcasting radio program 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' and said, "There is magic, and the protagonist is a reincarnation of Hua Tuo's disciple from the Three Kingdoms. I did not expect that content from such a fantasy novel would become an issue," adding, "It is just a fantasy novel, not an erotic novel."

Jang Ye-chan, Youth Supreme Committee Member Candidate of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, OhmyNews reported that Jang, under the pen name 'Myojae,' wrote a fantasy martial arts novel titled 'Gangnam Hwata' from April 2015 to December 2016, which contained content that sexualized female celebrities. The novel's plot involves a male doctor of Korean medicine who treats female actresses suffering from incurable diseases through sexual intercourse and dates a female singer who struggles with vocal cord issues after treatment.

On the 26th, former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok shared this article on his Facebook, targeting Jang by saying, "Being an erotic novel writer to make a living is understandable, but it would be problematic if IU's fandom gets involved." In subsequent posts, he mentioned singer IU by name, apologizing to her fans and asking them not to hate the People Power Party.

In response, Jang said, "I sincerely apologize for unintentionally reminding people of a specific celebrity and causing concern among fans," but also criticized, "I must express regret to other authors for belittling web novels or fantasy novels as erotic novels."

Jang further accused, "Did former leader Lee Jun-seok not send aides to cover up allegations of sexual bribery in reality and sign a 700 million won promissory note? Although the statute of limitations for the sexual bribery case has passed, related parts have been proven and referred for prosecution on charges of false accusation. Regardless of the truth about the sexual bribery, isn't it a confirmed fact that at a young age, trusting former President Park Geun-hye, he drank alcohol bought by a suspicious businessman and consumed it in an inappropriate room salon?"

He raised his voice, saying, "For someone like that to pick a fight with me over the content of this 100% fictional fantasy novel is just ridiculous."

Regarding the candidates supported by former leader Lee for the March 8 People Power Party convention?Cheon Ha-ram, Heo Eun-ah, Kim Yong-tae, and Lee Gi-in?Jang said, "They are all on the verge of losing," adding, "According to the CBS Jo Won C&I poll released this morning, Heo Eun-ah ranked 7th and Kim Yong-tae came in last in the general supreme council member poll."

He continued, "In other polls, the gap between Lee Gi-in, the youth supreme council candidate backed by Lee Jun-seok, and my support rate is consistently over 30%. I understand the impatience, but the more they step forward, the more Lee Jun-seok's sexual bribery allegations are highlighted," and advised, "I want to ask them to exercise restraint."