Kang Jiseop Shares Experience of Being Gaslighted by JMS
Explains Meaning Behind "Scarlet Letter" Nickname
Opens Up About Financial Losses and Emotional Struggles
Addresses Public Criticism and JMS Controversy
On the afternoon of August 4, Kang Jiseop appeared on the general programming channel MBN's variety show "Oh Eunyoung Stay," wearing a name tag labeled "Scarlet Letter."
Talent Kang Jiseop, who appeared on MBN's Oh Eunyoung Stay, is revealing his experience of leaving JMS. MBN capture
When Oh Eunyoung, Ko Soyoung, and Moon Seyoon asked about the nickname "Scarlet Letter," Kang Jiseop explained, "I thought I was on the right path, but it turned out to be the wrong one. Because of my ignorance, I was branded with a scarlet letter."
This broadcast marked Kang Jiseop's return to television after about two years since suspicions arose in 2023 regarding his involvement with JMS.
He confessed that he sought out JMS to find peace of mind. Kang Jiseop said, "I wanted to live righteously, without falling into relationships or alcohol. In the end, women suffered physical harm, and men were mostly exploited for money, being pressured to pay tithes. We were gaslighted."
He further revealed, "I lost all the money I earned from acting due to fraud," and admitted, "I even had the extreme thought, 'Should I not exist in this world?'"
According to the broadcast preview, Kang Jiseop also addressed public criticism and accusations such as "Aren't you colluding with the cult leader?" and "How many women did you bring to him?"
He confessed, "There was one person who was extremely kind to me, but it turned out that person was a con artist. I lost all the money I made from acting to scams and even had the extreme thought, 'Should I not exist in this world?'"
Talent Kang Jiseop, who appeared on MBN Oh Eunyoung Stay, is revealing his experience of leaving JMS. MBN capture
Meanwhile, during the previous JMS controversy, Kang Jiseop directly posted his stance on social media, sharing a photo of a torn Jesus portrait and writing, "Why did I leave something I should have thrown away long ago in storage?"
At that time, Kang Jiseop's agency stated, "It is true that Kang Jiseop attended JMS in the past. He joined with pure intentions, but over time realized something was wrong, and he left the group five years ago. He currently has no connection whatsoever with that religion."
Jung Myungseok, the leader of JMS, was sentenced to 17 years in prison by the Supreme Court this January for repeatedly sexually assaulting and molesting female followers at the Wolmyeongdong retreat center in Geumsan-gun and other locations from February 2018 to September 2021. Separately from this case, Jung was additionally indicted on the same charges in May and November last year and is currently undergoing his first trial at the Daejeon District Court.
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