Staff At Arts High School Famed For Its Idol Students Sexually Assaulted At Least 5 Female Students

A staff member of a famed arts high school was been identified as the perpetrator of sexual assault towards at least five female students.

According to an exclusive report from Sports Kyunghyang, multiple students accused a staff member at a famed arts high school in Korea of sexual assault. The staff member took their own life once their crimes began to become investigated. The crimes took place over the span of at least ten years, with at least five female students being victims to the staff member’s sexual assault.

The arts school in question has been famed for being the high school for many top idols and young actors. Sports Kyunghyang has mentioned that graduates of the school have gone on to debut in very famous idols groups including BTS, TWICE, NCT Dream, and ITZY. The school has been dubbed the “idol academy” due to the number of idols it has as its graduating students. However, there was a staff member who targeted teenage girls and using their status and power, abused them.

Student “B”, a musical actress who graduated from the school, was sexually harassed by staff “A” at his house when she was 18 years old. “B” stated that she had lessons until early in the morning at a practice room, which was near the school, and then was called to “A’s” house, where “A” made physical contact with her, gave her alcohol, and kissed her.

My mom had a lot of in-person counseling sessions with my teacher and trusted him a lot. On that day, the teacher got in touch with my mom and asked her permission that I could rest ahead of my performance.

But then, he gave me some foreign liquor that tasted sweet, and then suddenly kissed me on the lips, saying that he thought of me as a woman, not a student.

I tried to refuse his advances by asking what he was trying to do, but he came closer and started touching my body.

I was so scared and surprised, I shouted that this was not something a human would do. I ran into the guest room and cried all night.

— Student “B”

The next couple days, staff “A” did not mention or apologize for what happened. Due to this, student “B” was diagnosed with panic disorder as she had initially trusted the staff member, and she was extremely shocked from the events that transpired.

“A” was in the position where he could decide the roles for projects. I had no choice but to continue on with a thick skin, since I had to graduate and enroll in university.

I thought that even if I reported what happened, that I would have no power so would it be worth it? I felt like one of the powerless victims that I would see in movies.

— Student “B”

Another student “C”, who has graduated from the high school, was a victim of sexual abuse in Japan by staff member “A”. Student “C” was called to Japan under the guise of helping to prepare for a performance in Okinawa in 2019, but instead of other people also being there, it ended up being only student “C” and staff “A”.

Staff “A” asked me to have a drink while eating dinner, and he said that the reason why he came to Okinawa was not for work, but for vacation and he called me over because he was bored.

I was very shocked at that. I was also very scared because my accomodations were very far from downtown. The only thought I had was that I had to find a way to hold out on my own.

When I went back to Korea two days later, I received a long message from staff “A”, where he said ‘I called you over because I thought about you so much. Don’t think too much about it. I’ll let you take the audition.’

He would tell me many times at school that if he was my age, he would have married me. I thought he became even more of a dangerous person after I met him after graduating. He would ask me questions relating to being a wife or family, but I wouldn’t answer those questions.

I heard that there are more victims than just me amongst the students and graduates. I want to let them all know that staying silent isn’t the answer.

— Student “C”

Sports Kyunghyang was able to meet with some more victims, who stated that staff “A” was similar to the leader of a cult. On the outside, many students thought of him as a good teacher who was able to send many students into good universities and many male students thought positively of him.

The female students however, felt differently. “A” would give hugs and kisses on the cheek to female students that he favored. When he was alone with female students, he wouldn’t hesitate to say “I love you” to them. He also would make comments about their body, especially their breasts, legs, and waist, such as “you don’t have a thin waist, but it’s okay because you have wide hips.”

Two more students who were victims of “A’s” abuse briefly commented on the situation.

There were several times where there was physical contact from “A” while I had a lesson with him.

Since then, there were times where we naturally dated, but a few months later, he said we should break up.

— Student “D”

I’m still a student, so I’m scared to speak up.

— Student “E”

Student “E” ended up asking Sports Kyunghyang to not publish any details related to her situation in fear of retaliation and damage. Students at the arts high school usually get jobs due to their name and face being known, so many students and graduates are reluctant to bring up negative incidents out of fear of hurting their chances at a good job.

The entire situation related to staff “A” became known after one student who was sexually assaulted by him confessed to the school. As the investigation progressed and narrowed towards staff “A”, he took his own life and the school notified the students that “A” died of a heart attack. As “A” had died, the sexual assault case closed, but the victim who exposed “A” was still unable to attend school.

Student “F”, who was a victim while she attended the school, commented on the three years of abused she suffered at the hands of “A”.

After the death of “A”, I saw something about the damage he caused to the student who he dated. I remembered the constant gaslighting that I was subjected to for three years by “A”.

It was so dirty and disgusting, I wouldn’t be able to eat anything and I would still throw up.

This should never happen again, where staff use their status or authority to harm young students.

— Student “F”

A current student at the school mentioned that there are rumors that during staff “A’s” time at the school, there were multiple victims per year.

Even though it is a serious problem, it seems like [the school] is mostly moving on. The perpetrator’s death is likely to leave the victims feeling very empty. I wanted to help in any way possible, so I agreed to this interview.

I’ve heard that there were at least three or four victims per school grade. This is the school that I really wanted to enroll in. I think the truth should be revealed to protect the school’s honor.

— Student “G”

The school stated that they immediately took follow up measures once being notified of what was happening, such as releasing an official statement to parents and students and conducting conduct workshops for both students and staff. However, they also stated that they were unable to manage the personal business of their staff and students outside of school hours.

Sports Kyunghyang also attempted to get in contact with “A’s” family multiple times, but they did not respond back.