South Korean police questioning K-pop stars in sex scandals

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA Police on Thursday questioned two K-pop stars over interlocking sex scandals that have fascinated South Korea and prompted both men to announce they are retiring from the entertainment industry.

Seungri, a member of the superstar group Big Bang, bowed deeply at a Seoul police station before more than 100 journalists. Police said they are investigating allegations that the 28-year-old attempted to arrange illegal sexual services for his business investors.

“I once again lower my head and apologize to the people and all others who were hurt,” Seungri said. “I’ll faithfully undergo an investigation and give sincere answers” to police questioning.

In South Korea, celebrities involved in scandals often apologize publicly even as they maintain their innocence. Seungri, whose real name is Lee Seung-hyun, has denied the allegation but announced his retirement on Monday.

Earlier Thursday, fellow K-pop star Jung Joon-young, 30, came to the police station to be questioned about an allegation that he secretly filmed himself having sex with women and then shared the videos in private group chats.

“I feel very sorry for causing concern to the people and will faithfully undergo an investigation,” Jung told reporters.

Jung said in a statement Wednesday that he recorded the videos without the consent of the women in them. He apologized to the victims and to those he disappointed and angered. He also said he was retiring from the entertainment industry.

Media reports have said Seungri was among the men in a Kakaotalk group chat room where Jung posted his sex videos. Police said there were several Kakaotalk chat rooms involved but didn’t elaborate. The scandals have highlighted a dark side of South Korea’s booming yet ultracompetitive entertainment industry. South Korean pop songs, TV dramas and films are hugely popular in Asia and beyond, but male stars have faced allegations of sexual assault and abuse, and reports have been made that female entertainers and trainees have been forced to provide sexual services to men in power.

Many K-pop stars are recruited by talent agencies as teenagers, some when they are elementary school students, and they often sleep, eat and train together before making a debut.