As Squid Game 2 gets ready to hit screens, both fans and critics are raising eyebrows about Lee Jin-wook’s role in the series. This concern stems from his involvement in a controversial sexual assault investigation that dates back several years.
In July 2016, a woman accused Lee Jin-wook of sexually assaulting her after they had drinks at his apartment. He strongly denied these claims, insisting that their encounter was consensual. In fact, he went as far as to file a counter-suit against her for making false accusations.
Initially, Lee Jin-wook was cleared of all charges in 2016. However, the case took a turn in 2017 when the woman was found not guilty of the false accusation. This contradicted the earlier ruling in Jin-wook’s favor. Things got even more complicated when his legal team decided to appeal the verdict, which forced the woman to relive the ordeal for another year.
On February 7, 2018, the court overturned the original verdict about the false accusation, sentencing the woman to eight months in prison, but she wouldn’t have to serve time immediately. The court acknowledged that it was tough to determine if any sexual relations occurred against her wishes, but they also couldn’t conclude that any oppressive tactics were used during the encounter.
This ruling sparked a lot of mixed reactions. Some people felt it was a fair outcome, while others criticized how sexual assault cases are handled in South Korea. The court’s reasoning, which differentiated between unwanted sexual relations and rape that involves coercion, opened up a bigger conversation about consent and what constitutes sexual assault under South Korean law.
The situation sheds light on the challenges of proving sexual assault in South Korea. In many cases, simply having a lack of consent isn’t enough; there often needs to be proof of violence or incapacitation for it to be classified as rape. Advocates for sexual assault victims argue that this legal standard fails to protect individuals who might be coerced or feel pressured into sexual acts without any visible violence.
Despite the controversy surrounding the allegations, Jin-wook has managed to keep his acting career alive in South Korea, landing a significant role in Squid Game 2. Some of his supporters argue that the media jumped to conclusions by labeling him as a “sex offender” before a legal resolution. However, many people are also questioning why he chose to drag out the legal battle, especially after being cleared of the accusations.
Fortunately, the alleged victim’s identity has been kept confidential, allowing her to move on with her life without public scrutiny. Meanwhile, as Jin-wook gains more international fame, he’s facing renewed criticism over his past and the implications of his actions.
