Teacher of famous arts high school that produces top idols sexually assaulted students for 10 years

Many students have been confirmed to be victims of teacher A, who took his own life after being accused of sexual crimes last month.

According to Sports Kyunghyang, A’s sexual crimes continued for at least 10 years, and in addition to the already known victims, the number of female students who suffered A’s sexual assault has amounted to as many as five.

This school is known as a famous arts high school that has produced many idols from famous groups, such as Bxx, Txxxx, Nxxxxxxx, Ixxx, etc. A recently rising MZ idol-turned-actor also graduated from this high school. The school is famous as an “idol training academy”, but ironically, its teacher abused his power and considered teenage female students as sexual targets.

B, a musical actress who used to study at this high school, was sexually harassed at A’s house when she was 18. B revealed that she received private lessons at A’s practice room until dawn then went to A’s house. There, A made her drink alcohol and performed physical contact on her, such as kissing. 

B shared, “Our mother often met and consulted with the teacher, and she trusted him a lot. That day, too, the teacher contacted my mother and obtained her permission, saying that he would let me rest comfortably before the performance. However, after giving me a few glasses of sweet foreign liquors at his house, he suddenly said, ‘I see you not as a student but as a woman’, and kissed me on the lips. I refused, asking ‘What are you doing?’, but he approached me closer and initiated physical contact. I was so scared and shocked so I shouted, ‘This is not something a human would do’, then I ran to the guest room and cried all night.”

The next day, A did not mention the incident nor apologize to B. B was diagnosed with panic disorder due to the great shock she got from A, whom she used to trust.

Recalling the past, B said, “A was in the position to decide the role of my work. I had no choice but to endure everything for my graduation and the college entrance exam”, adding “I had no power to report him and thought it was impossible to do so. I felt like being one of those powerless victims you often see in movies.”

Another victim C was called to join A’s trip to Japan and suffered sexual assault. In particular, C quickly headed to Japan after receiving a request from A to be an assistant for his performance preparation in Okinawa in 2019. Contrary to the notice that other trainees were also invited, there were only C and A in the accommodation.

C described the situation at that time, saying “A suggested having a drink during dinner and said, ‘The reason I come to Okinawa was not for work, but for a trip, and I called you to come along because I was bored’. I was very shocked at first. I felt extremely scared because the accommodation was located far away from the city. All I could think of was finding a way to survive on my own. After returning to Korea two days later, I received a long Kakaotalk message from A. He said, ‘I called you because I kept thinking of you. Don’t think of it the other way. I will let you join the audition.'”

C stated, “When I was still in school, A used to say things like, ‘If I were the same age as you, I would have married you’”, adding, “After graduation, I encountered him several times and thought he had become even more dangerous. Every time we met, I would ask him questions about his wife and family, but I avoided mentioning matters related to my family. I heard that there were many victims among graduates and current students, and they suffered more than I did. I want to say that silence is not the answer”, explaining the reason for her to belatedly come forward and confessed to being a victim.

The victims that Sports Kyunghyang referred to A as “a leader of a pseudo-religious cult”. According to them, he was a reliable teacher who often comforted students by saying “It’s okay”, “Good job. You’re doing well”, etc., and a person whom anyone could follow and rely on. He also sent many students to good universities, and male students often called him ‘captain’.

However, female students who were victims of his sexual assault experienced different things. A hugged pretty female students and kissed them on the cheek instead of greeting them. When alone with the female students, he didn’t hesitate to say “I love you” and made comments evaluating their bodies, such as “You don’t have a thin waist, but it’s okay because you have a wide pelvis”.

Teenage students who suffered damage due to A’s behaviors are in great shock after knowing the news of his death. D said, “A often did skinship with me during my lessons in his practice room last year”, adding “After then, we naturally started dating, but a few months later, A broke up with me, saying ‘Let’s stop seeing each other’.” Another victim E also shared, “I’m still a student, so I’m really scared” and asked not to have the details of her being a victim published.

Students at this school usually end up in professions where their faces become well-known to the public after graduation. As a result, both current and former students were extremely reluctant to have their names associated with negative incidents.

A’s crimes were brought to light when one student disclosed that she was sexually assaulted by A and reported it to the school. As the scope of the investigation was narrowed, A took his own life, and the school notified the students that A had passed away due to cardiac arrest. The case was closed due to the perpetrator’s death, the victim is still unable to return to school.

F, another victim who already graduated from the school, said “After seeing the news about the ongoing relationship between A and a current student, memories of the continuous gaslighting I endured due to A during my three years at school resurfaced. It was so disgusting that I threw up even when I was not eating anything”, adding “The act of using one’s position and authority to do things with bad intentions towards young students should never happen again.”

G, a student who is currently studying at school, said, “It’s a very serious issue, yet I feel like it’s being brushed aside. The victim must be feeling incredibly devastated and hopeless after the perpetrator’s death. I wanted to help them in any way I could, so I agreed to do the interview.” G continued, “I heard that there were at least 3-4 victims in each academic year. I had always wanted to attend this school since a long time ago. So I believe that revealing the truth is to protect the school’s honor.”

The school authorities responded to Sports Kyunghyang, stating “After becoming aware of the incident, we promptly took measures to separate the victims from the perpetrator. We have issued an official statement to parents and students, and are implementing sexual education programs for both students and faculty members as follow-up measures”. They added, “We cannot individually manage personal matters between teachers and students that occur outside of the school.”

In addition, Sports Kyunghyang tried to contact A’s bereaved family several times but did not receive any answer from them regarding the sexual assault allegation.

Source: Nate