[Pop Culture Review] ③ "Fun and Cool Jobs" Divorce and Flirting... Privacy Controversies Sparked by SNS

2024 Popular Culture's 'Keywords of the Year'

Dating and Discord Monitored on SNS
Jung Woo-sung's Privacy Controversy, Impeachment Support Lightsticks, and More

This year, numerous issues emerged in the popular culture sector. With the development of online platforms, information spread more rapidly, and revelations about dating, divorce, and cheating followed one after another through social networking services (SNS). The main topic was ‘privacy.’ Opinions criticizing the responsibility of public figures and advocating the public’s right to know were widespread, while the need to respect privacy was also raised. Additionally, keywords such as the group BTS, BLACKPINK, NewJeans, the Byeon Woo-seok syndrome, and impeachment cheering sticks attracted attention.

Divorce Livestreamed on SNS... The Unfunny “Interesting” Battle

Stars announced their dating and divorces directly through SNS. There were even instances of verbal disputes with their partners. Actor Ryu Jun-yeol and Han So-hee were spotted together at a hotel in Hawaii, USA, in March, sparking dating rumors. Then, Hyeri, Ryu Jun-yeol’s ex-girlfriend who had recently broken up with him, posted on SNS a message saying “Interesting” along with a photo reminiscent of Hawaiian palm trees, triggering rumors of a ‘transfer dating’ scandal. In response, Han So-hee posted on SNS, “I like transfer dating programs, but there is none in my life. I also find it interesting,” along with a photo of a dog holding a knife. Ryu Jun-yeol and Han So-hee confirmed their relationship, but as the controversy did not subside, they announced their breakup two weeks later.

News of the breakup between actor Lee Beom-soo and interpreter Lee Yoon-jin was also revealed through SNS. In December last year, Lee Yoon-jin posted “My first chapter has ended” tagging Lee Beom-soo’s account. Afterwards, Lee Yoon-jin exposed Lee Beom-soo’s secret hobbies, double life, and mother-in-law conflicts. Lee Beom-soo’s side explained, “Some parts are not true.” As the controversy grew, the two announced they were undergoing divorce mediation after 14 years of marriage. Currently, Lee Yoon-jin lives in Bali with their daughter, while Lee Beom-soo lives in Seoul with their son.

Actor Han So-hee (left) and Ryu Jun-yeol. Photo by Yonhap News

The divorce process of former announcer turned broadcaster Park Ji-yoon and Choi Dong-seok was also broadcasted through SNS. The two posted seemingly targeting messages at each other on SNS, and it was later revealed they were in the midst of a divorce lawsuit. In June, Park Ji-yoon filed a lawsuit for damages against Choi Dong-seok’s acquaintance A, accusing her of being a mistress, while Choi Dong-seok also filed a lawsuit for damages against Park Ji-yoon and a man B, accusing them of being adulterers. Both sides denied the allegations of infidelity. Later, text messages exchanged during their disputes were made public, containing content of verbal abuse, violence, and surveillance, sparking controversy.

Actress Hwang Jung-eum married former professional golfer turned businessman Lee Young-don in 2016 and filed for divorce mediation in 2020, but reconciled in July 2021. In February this year, Hwang Jung-eum posted on SNS, “You must have been busy all this time, now relax and enjoy,” and the next day announced she was in the middle of a divorce lawsuit. Later, she mistakenly targeted a woman on SNS, suspecting her as her husband’s affair partner, but apologized after the woman denied it and filed a complaint.

FT Island’s Choi Min-hwan and former LABOUM member Yul-hee faced a breakup after six years of marriage. The two announced their divorce in December last year and continued their verbal disputes on SNS. Yul-hee exposed Choi Min-hwan’s frequent visits to prostitution and entertainment establishments through her personal channel, and later filed lawsuits against Choi Min-hwan for child custody and property division. After being cleared of charges related to prostitution and forced molestation of his ex-wife during police investigation, Choi Min-hwan explained, “It is just distorted speculation.”

Actor Jung Ho-yeon (left) Lee Dong-hwi, Yonhap News Agency, provided by Companion

Actors Lee Dong-hwi and Jung Ho-yeon, who have been dating publicly for nine years since 2016 and openly supported each other, did not hide their affection on SNS. Even after Jung Ho-yeon gained global recognition by starring in the OTT Netflix series ‘Squid Game’ (2021), they continued their relationship but suddenly announced their breakup last month. Previously, Lee Dong-hwi avoided mentioning his relationship in interviews but recently appeared on several YouTube shows where he mentioned Jung Ho-yeon first, showing strong affection. The sudden breakup attracted attention.

Dating Goes Viral on SNS

Actress Han Ji-min and Jannabi’s Choi Jung-hoon revealed they are dating. Dating rumors arose after photos of the two looking affectionate together at a cafe spread on SNS, and both sides confirmed their relationship. They revealed that their relationship developed after Han Ji-min appeared as a guest on KBS2’s music program ‘Night Park’ hosted by Choi Jung-hoon in August last year.

Actor Han Ji-min (left) and Choi Jung-hoon. Photo by Yonhap News

Singers HyunA and Yong Jun-hyung announced their relationship in January by posting a photo on SNS of them holding hands, and they got married in October. Yong Jun-hyung had a history in 2015 of inappropriate conversations and illegally filming sexual encounters with women, which were shared in chat rooms by singer Jung Joon-young. When news of their marriage spread, the conversations from that time resurfaced online, sparking debates.

Actors Gong Min-jung and Jang Jae-ho, who played a married couple in the tvN drama ‘Marry Me, My Husband,’ became a real-life couple. They surprised fans by announcing their marriage through SNS in September, sharing photos of their small wedding.

Pixabay

Non-marital Birth → DM Flirting: ‘Jung Woo-sung’s Extramarital Child Controversy’

Actor Jung Woo-sung and model Moon Ga-bi had a son. They did not marry. Moon Ga-bi is raising the child, while Jung Woo-sung only pays child support and does not share in childcare. On the 22nd of last month, Moon Ga-bi posted on SNS that she gave birth to a son in March this year. It was later revealed that Jung Woo-sung is the father.

Following this, claims surfaced that Jung Woo-sung sent direct messages (DMs) on SNS. Online, screenshots of messages allegedly sent by Jung Woo-sung to young women saying things like “Cool job” and “Can I give you my (phone) number?” sparked controversy. It was also revealed belatedly that Jung Woo-sung had not signed any new advertising contracts since 2022, raising suspicions that he might have prepared for penalty issues in advance. Although he has voiced support for international refugee issues, criticism arose that his attitude toward his own son is hypocritical.

Actor Jung Woo-sung. Photo by Yonhap News

The controversy over Jung Woo-sung’s extramarital child had significant social repercussions. Since he played the role of a righteous capital security commander in the film ‘Spring in Seoul,’ which attracted 10 million viewers last year, public disappointment was great. As revelations about his private life continued, opinions emerged criticizing his lack of responsibility as a public figure, advocating for the public’s right to know, and calling for respect for privacy. Suggestions were also made for finding a balance and establishing guidelines on this matter.

Various debates also arose surrounding non-marital births. Former Vice Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hee-kyung proposed not using the term ‘extramarital child’ for the child born to Jung Woo-sung and Moon Ga-bi. The former vice minister wrote on SNS, “In a survey on awareness of family diversity, 76% of the public agreed that the distinction between ‘extramarital child’ and ‘child born in wedlock’ is discriminatory language and should be abolished,” adding, “Let’s call him a son, not an extramarital child.”