The Shadow of JMS in the Entertainment Industry
Since the release of the eight-part documentary series "I Am God," which exposes the shocking realities of pseudo-religious cult leaders, controversies surrounding the Christian Gospel Mission (JMS) have been spreading through Netflix, raising suspicions that JMS's influence is also casting a shadow over the entertainment industry.
Parents' Cafe a JMS Church?..."I Really Didn't Know"
After the documentary aired, detailed church addresses were shared online with the intention of "preventing JMS-related harm." Among these was the address of a cafe run by the parents of Kyungyoon, a member of the male idol group DKZ, sparking suspicions that Kyungyoon's family might be JMS followers.
On the 7th, DKZ's agency, Dongyo Entertainment, stated, "Regarding the business operated by Kyungyoon's family, after confirming with him and his family, Kyungyoon believed it was a normal, legitimate church his parents attended until many reports and the broadcast content were reviewed. He had never encountered or been aware of the related content before."
The agency emphasized, "Upon learning the facts, Kyungyoon was also shocked after reviewing the broadcast content. The business run by his family was immediately closed, and all connections to the specific group are being investigated to ensure withdrawal and no future association."
"Did He Really Not Know?"...Suspicions Spread Despite Explanation
However, some continue to question, "Did Kyungyoon really not know about his family's religion?" In a past interview, Kyungyoon revealed, "(I am) a Christian believer. My aunt is a pastor who always prays for us. I heard that church members nationwide who know my aunt pray for each of our members by name."
He also mentioned on a radio show, "There is an aunt who is like family to me. She sent congratulatory messages, writing each member's name one by one."
Fans are demanding further clarification, asking, "Can Kyungyoon, who lived closely with his pastor aunt like family, truly be unrelated to his family's religion?"
Additionally, a search of the registration documents for the cafe run by Kyungyoon's parents revealed that the building is registered under JMS's name.
Based on JMS's past activities targeting young women for proselytizing, some speculate, "Was the cafe operated to proselytize to Kyungyoon's fans?"
Cheap Model Walking Academy?..."It Was All for the Teacher"
Jung Ga-eun. Photo by Jung Ga-eun Instagram
Actor Jung Ga-eun's story about a religious group, revealed on SBS's "Strong Heart" in 2010, is also being revisited.
During her university days, Jung Ga-eun dreamed of becoming a model but could not afford a model academy due to family opposition. She heard about an arts group where she could learn model walking at a low cost and decided to visit.
Jung Ga-eun recalled, "Before classes, they always prayed, and it was a somewhat unusual place with a 'teacher' located halfway up a mountain." She said, "I thought it was a religious group, but I started with the intention of only attending the model classes."
After two or three months, academy staff told her, "It's time to meet the teacher," and took her deep into the mountains. Jung Ga-eun remembered, "The man called 'teacher' was sitting outdoors wearing only a swimsuit. The women were also gathered around him wearing only swimsuits."
She also shared that a senior student attending the classes said, "All these classes were prepared for the teacher."
One day, when Jung Ga-eun experienced neck and back pain, a senior student told her, "If the teacher touches you, you'll get better." Desperate, Jung Ga-eun went to find the teacher but he was not there, so she could not meet him.
Netizens have speculated that the "teacher" Jung Ga-eun visited was none other than JMS's Jeong Myeong-seok.
JMS followers refer to Jeong Myeong-seok as "teacher," and he is known to proselytize young women around 170cm tall near university campuses. Jung Ga-eun's story aligns with this pattern, which is why it is cited as evidence.
JMS is known to build close relationships with proselytizing targets in various ways before suggesting Bible study. Through this Bible study, they indoctrinate the belief that "Jeong Myeong-seok is the Second Coming of Jesus." After the "education" ends, followers are arranged to meet Jeong Myeong-seok, during which sexual assault has also been reported.
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