A shocking conclusion has emerged from a sexual assault case involving Jinjo Crew, the world’s top-ranked B-boy team. One member, identified as “A,” has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison for attempted sexual assault and illegal filming. Meanwhile, Jinjo Crew’s attempt to sue the victim for damages amounting to ₩500 million (approx. $360,000) was dismissed by the court.
According to legal sources on Sep 2, the Seoul High Court upheld the lower court’s ruling against Jinjo Crew’s member, confirming his prison sentence. In a separate civil suit, the Seoul Eastern District Court rejected Jinjo Crew’s claim against the victim, ruling that her social media disclosure of the incident was not false and could not be considered defamatory.
The case first became public when the female victim, a former member of the crew, revealed on social media that she had been sexually assaulted by a male teammate. Jinjo Crew initially removed the accused member and issued an apology, but a month later, the group filed legal action against the victim, claiming she was conspiring to dismantle the team.
Court findings, however, confirmed the victim’s testimony. The initial trial determined that the accused had secretly filmed the victim while she was unconscious after heavy drinking, and then attempted to assault her before she awoke. Although he denied the charges, the court cited contradictions in his statements and evidence destruction, such as deleting data from his phone and laptop.
The High Court reduced the sentence slightly from the first trial’s five years to two years and six months, taking into account his partial admission of guilt and a deposit of ₩30 million in an attempt to show remorse, despite the victim’s refusal to settle.
Separately, Jinjo Crew filed a ₩500 million civil lawsuit, arguing that the victim’s disclosure led to canceled performances and financial damages. However, the court dismissed the claim, ruling that her statements were based on her personal experience and not fabricated.
Founded in 2001, Jinjo Crew has been hailed as a pioneer in the global B-boy scene, becoming the first crew to win all five major international championships. They have also topped global rankings multiple times and gained mainstream exposure through TV competitions.
This ruling not only confirms the guilt of the perpetrator but also signals the court’s recognition of the victim’s right to speak out, marking a significant moment in the fight against sexual violence in the dance community.
Sources: nate
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