More on the drug scandal
April 27th, 2009 // by javabeans
Joo Ji-hoon, Yoon Seol-hee
Actress Yoon Seol-hee is the main player in the drug scandal that erupted over the weekend, but as Joo Ji-hoon is the most recognizable name, he’s getting a lot of the attention. There’s also some confusion about the facts, but to reiterate: Joo Ji-hoon was NOT arrested for trafficking the drugs, dealing, or for possession. He was charged with using.
Here’s a rundown of some of the facts and new info:
- Yoon Seol-hee was arrested on April 26 for trafficking ecstasy and ketamine into South Korea from Japan, which she then sold. She allegedly made a total of fourteen trips between August 2007 and December 2008.
- Model Yeh Hak-young was arrested for supplying Yoon with 100 hundred million won with which to buy the drugs. Both Yoon and Yeh also took the drugs.
- Joo Ji-hoon was booked without detainment on the 26th (along with two non-celebrities) for drug use on two occasions at drinking parties in March 2008.
- There have been celebrities in the past who have been busted for drug use, but this is the first instance involving the smuggling and sale of them.
- The police are currently working to confirm Yoon’s confession that there were 15 others who took the drugs from her, and are looking into her phone records as well.
- According to police, these include at least a couple of easily recognizable names. Some reports say there are seven or eight entertainers in all, other say at least five. One in particular is “a famous singer who appears on television talk shows frequently.” The rest are host bar employees.
- I know the situation isn’t funny, but this tidbit is as hilarious as it is gross: Yoon smuggled the drugs past customs by inserting them into a menstrual pad (ewww!), which she then wore over an extra pair of underwear.
Naturally, people are wondering what made Yoon Seol-hee do such a risky (and stupid) thing.
- Yoon had bit parts in several films, but hadn’t been able to get her break and took other jobs working in bars in Seoul’s upscale Kangnam district.
- She had been increasingly worried over growing debts, according to friends.
- Yoon appeared in small parts in movies like A Good Day To Have An Affair and Sex is Zero 2. She played a room salon girl in both the film version of Tazza (aka The War of Flower) and the television drama On Air.
As for Joo Ji-hoon’s future:
- He has been dropped from the Tokyo Tower remake. No surprise there, particularly because the scandal has been picked up by Japanese media and reported “with particular gravity.”
- The Tokyo Tower production, which stars Kim Ji-soo, is not canceled at the moment. A production representative said, “We’re planning to cast a different actor in Joo Ji-hoon’s place and begin filming at the end of May or early June.”
- Joo was planning two Japanese fanmeetings on May 15 and 16 in Osaka and Yokohama, which may be canceled. Both events sold out on the first day, which means that cancellation may result in a lawsuit. Worst. Birthday. Ever.
- Joo’s two recent movies also have shaky futures in Japan: Antique Bakery is currently screening there, and The Naked Kitchen is scheduled to release at the end of May.
Via Frontier Times, Star News, Munhwa Journal 21, Sports Khan, IB Times
RELATED POSTS
- Joo Ji-hoon busted for drug use
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- Tokyo Tower bought for Korean remake
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- The Naked Kitchen press preview
- Joo Ji-hoon is Don Juan
- Antique press preview yields interesting fashions
Tags: bad behavior, Joo Ji-hoon, Yeh Hak-young, Yoon Seol-hee
i agree – worst Birthday ever for JiHoon.
and yes – eww on the smuggling method – though it goes to show how ingenious people can be.
wanna bet this will change the way people are body checked when going through customs???
i am not looking forward to seeing the list of names and wish they would reveal them to get them over and done with so we can all move on.
i get the impression thouygh the press love this sort of thing and will string it out as much as possible
Really sad that this happened…
Really sad for Prince Shin…
But then again, he should be responsible for their action.
That’s really really a nasty thing. I don’t know what to say about it because it’s so gross. And I have to say, I liked Joo Ji-hoon in Goong and Antique but… if everything is true… Even the fans should distance from Joo Ji-hoon. Because he has to take the responsibility and fans should not take the part of a defender… There is a point in this story where “fanship” is not a good thing.
i don’t know why, but i feel incredibly sorry for Joo Ji Hoon. i hope he can somehow bounce back from this because he’s actually a very decent actor.
Javabeans, thank you for clarifying that JJH was NOT caught smuggling or selling the drugs, just using them as different websites were reporting different things. I know I can trust you to get it right. Of course, for JJH’s career, that won’t really matter as, either way, it’s ruined, perhaps forever. I have difficulty drudging up even a bit of sympathy for him because he brought this all on himself. On principle, I am against drugs, using or selling but mostly, I am disappointed at JJH for being so stupid as to think that someone with so much exposure to the public eye as himself he could get away with it unnoticed. On the other hand, I admire him very much as an actor and feel that it will be a great loss to the industry. But then again, after the whole Edison Chen and the leaked X-rated photos scandal, it was predicted that the careers of the women who were in the leaked photos would be over forever but some, like Gillian Chung, have managed to make a comeback of sorts. Maybe in time, the public will be able to forgive him this. But really, does he deserve to be forgiven? I’m in two minds about that. I don’t want to be sanctimonious but I find it hard to sympathize.
Well since it looks like JiHoon is not going to be doing much for the foreseable future he needs to do several things to get back in the publics good graces.
1. Release a Statement- Who cares what it says something that responds to the allegations and addresses his need to…
2. Schedule a Leave of Absence-During this time he can reflect on his own mistake and take the opportunity to leave the spotlight while he…
3. Begins his Military Service-Two years of mandatory military service will keep him out of the spotlight while this scandal is being resolved it would also help if while he was in service he…
4. Worked with Medical/Social Services- To create public awareness and learn more about the dangers of the drugs he was taking this will put him back in the publics good graces while generating interest in him yet again so that he can…
5. Craft his comeback- In an after school special type of role where he plays the guy that has been deeply affected by drugs/drug trafficing, one that shows contrition while making him a public darling once again.
Thats my two cents, on what he should do. If he really wanted to find a solution that gave him long term success he has to think drastically asking himself how can i redeam my image and avoid the spotlight at the same time. Hopefully this will teach him a valuable lesson. Drugs are serious and should be taken seriously, however everyone deserves a second chance. This is a first offense and if he learns from his mistake I think he deserves the right to try to be successful again. He is a good actor, and like Robert Downey Jr, he deserves the opportunity to pull himself back up after he has learned from his mistakes.
As to the rest of the scandal it would be fantastic if drugs were the subject to some kdrama’s. I know gambling/debt/abandonment/disease are the prime motivators but drugs are huge and perhaps if people saw the consequences in their television rooms at night they might be less likely to indulge.
Thanks for posting the update, ~R
When I saw this, I was really shocked. I knew that Korean actors do drugs but not popular actors like JiHoon. He had a lot to lose and I think he’ll figure it out soon. Struggling actors with no money and name, I can see them doing drugs but JiHoon…it was really stupid in his part.
As for hiding the drugs, I’ve seen people (on TV) put them in a condom or small balloons and stick it up their rectum. I’ve seen them put the ballons INSIDE dogs…horrible. I frankly don’t see the point in doing drugs. There are more reasonable and better ways to deal with anger, anxiety and all other emotions. As for selling..don’t rack up debts if you can’t pay it. You see people with nice designer things and you admire them for being so wealthy. You don’t see the whole picture…and this situation pretty much sums it up.
Ah, I feel safer already knowing that those crotch-sniffing airport dogs and their trainers are out there keeping us all safe from hard-partying celebrites. Maybe trafficing these substances was the only way this actress could come up with to keep herself from becoming a part of the diner menu for all of those sex-crazed casting directors and executives…
As for drugs being the subject of K-dramas…WHY???
If I really want to see drug use, the consequences of using it, and why people use it…I would watch Intervention on A&E or watch the movie Traffic. It will be better than some fluffed up version in a Kdrama.
I personally can’t watch hardcore druggies that shoot up. I always turn the channel or close my eyes during movies.
2009 has really lifted the veil on the Korean entertainment industry, and how difficult it can be for those trying to make it. I’m not talking about JJH, but the one that only a few people probably care about. Yoon Seolhee’s life is effectively over. I hope she has family to fall back upon, and has people who can take care of her after she gets out of prison.
I feel a great sadness for those who feel like they gave it their best shot, failed, and now have a ton of people they owe money to, and feel like they have no way out. Or for those who feel like they have no choice but to do things that they wouldn’t otherwise do if not for the lure of stardom. I have a good deal of empathy, and I wish things were different for them.
BUT, I don’t reserve my empathy for these folks alone. It is hard EVERYWHERE, not just in the entertainment industry. How many people these days are out of work, with or without families to support, and crushed by stress and mounting debt, and failed expectations?
Life is hard for just about everybody, and sometimes we have to reel back our dreams. We can’t all be movie stars, music artists, and sports stars. We can’t all make it to med school, law school, dental school, work at the big investment banks or management consulting firms. Not everyone finds true love and happiness forever, raising the perfect family and so on. We just try to do our best to survive and be happy.
And kudos and much love to those who try and do things the right way, even if they fail.
-Samsooki
I feel bad for Joo Ji-hoon. People aren’t perfect, and it isn’t like he’s a pusher or even an addict (from what i’m reading into the post). Should he be punished? Of course–according to the law. Should he lose endorsements? Yeah, since contracts are formed for the purpose of celebrities advancing the brand image. But should he be treated like he has no value as an actor or as a pariah in the industry for eternity because of it? Not at all. I think that people universally desire redemption in their fallen heroes, and JJH should be given a chance to return to acting after this all blows over. Hopefully Koreans will feel the same way and give him a second chance. Good people are still good people, even if they make mistakes.
* teary eyed *
JiHoon….Fighting!!!!!!
One in particular is “a famous singer who appears on television talk shows frequently”.
> Lee Hyori? o_O
thanks JavaB, for the updates……. *bursting into tears again!*
“I know the situation isn’t funny, but this tidbit is as hilarious as it is gross: Yoon smuggled the drugs past customs by inserting them into a menstrual pad (ewww!), which she then wore over an extra pair of underwear.”
Yes, while that is funny in a way its not really all that gross. I don’t imagine it was a used sanitary napkin. So essentially it equivalent to putting the drugs into a layer of cotton or gauze..stuffing it between to pair of undies and wearing it around.
Funny story: I had tumors removed from my sinuses at the age of 17 (the good old days)…the surgery was all done through my nose with no cuts to the face so all the wounds were concealed in my sinus cavities. Well wouldn’t you now that as gauze/packing material I had a tampon stuck up each nostril for a week……..with the strings taped to the side of my nose……….I still laugh when I think about how that looked……painful when they removed them though.
Not sure why I decided to share that……. >.<
i agree with @ Robyn this is the best way he can get his career back on track again!
“a famous singer who appears on television talk shows frequently”
this makes me scared, i love talk shows, this could be anyone o.O
Would the military want him? He’s a drug user. Wouldn’t that automatically disqualify him? I am not Korean and don’t know much about Korean military obligations but I am sure being a drug user isn’t accepted qualities in an Armed Forces member. Personally, I wouldn’t feel safe with him in the military.
Let’s hope he gets treatment.
Interesting observation:
I was reading the comments on this story on another K-culture site and a significant number of them were discussing how this behaviour is not a career killer in America and how it’s not really a big deal (which isn’t to say the writers support drug use)…
Example: “He’ll bounce back, no biggie as long as he isn’t hard core”
However, on the same site, an article which shows a clip from a Girls Generation performance has garnered some harsh criticism! Why you might ask?? Because they were lip-synching and the track skipped…proving that they were not singing live! The horror.
Example: “For reals, American fans would be furious. I’m kinda mad that this is like a benefit concert at a hospital, why not just do it live?”
Interesting priorities for some!
i’m really disappointed by joo ji-hoon, especially after watching his film (antique bakery) which i LIKE so much!! whew……. it adds more to my disappointment…….
i have a bad feeling that there’s going to be a suicide story after all of this mess.
““a famous singer who appears on television talk shows frequently.” ”
I wonder who that is :/
And I’m glad Tokyo Tower isn’t canceled >.<
As for JJH… no words.
Am I a cynic if I say that this really does not surprise me? I’m more surprised that there aren’t more scandals of drug use, sex, videotapes in the Asian entertainment industry like there is in Europe and the US considering how most people love to read about scandals.
I’m sure this will blow over – just look how people re-embraced Britney…
Not gonna lie, that’s an ingenuous way to smuggle drugs.
Sucks for JJH, though.. His birthday’s gonna be awful. D:
I really wanna know who that singer is. o.o
hahaha
“Tags: bad behavior”
xD
@eveningstar201: well, edison chen himself have made a comeback as well in the hk movie “sniper”.
@b020: u have to really look at societal differences. korea really take drug offences really seriously. all the more for an a-lister like jjh.
it may blow over…but it definitely won’t take a ’short’ time like britney. he may spend his life trying to recover that damaged reputation.
i sincerely wish that korean entertainment won’t be as crazy as hong kong or western entertainment. that is one of the reason i dig korean ent.
@iDB@work: that would really suck. i hope those psychiatrists would quickly do something about it. they already have that warning bell.
“Worst. Birthday. Ever.”
i think bout the stain upon all his other birthdays to come. i can almost imagine the conversation going:
“oh, remember that one year he canceled his birthday celebration?”
“yeah, he got busted for drug use.”
yup, people never forget the worst of others.
“One in particular is “a famous singer who appears on television talk shows frequently.” ”
THIS IS NOT GOOD. THIS IS SERIOUSLY NOT GOOD.
i have to brace for the worst to come.
@lenrasoon.
Hael No, my world would come crashing down if it was Hyori. I’m guessing a less well-loved singer….Chaeyeon? Brian?!?! Tei?????!!! The possibilities are endless.
Yoon smuggled the drugs past customs by inserting them into a menstrual pad
OMG that is effin’ GROSS!!!
I really love Joo Ji Hoon and I want to feel sorry for him but he brought all this on himself. Therefore, he doesn’t deserve any pity. I hope that thiswill teach him a lesson and that he’ll pull himself together. JJH is a brillant actor and it would be a shame if this brought his career down hill… As for the drugs in her under garment and menstual pads = YUCK. That is just pain disgusting. What is wrong with people these days?
Terribly sad. What are the chances (in percentage) that he can actually save his career?
Sarah, thanks for the update! tag: bad behaviour! LOL
Ooh I just can imagine what will happen when the other names are revealed. Chaos, complete and utter chaos. As for the singer…man, if it’s one of the, say, SuJu boys, there’s going to be draaaama!
The unnamed singer has been described as a “kkot-minam,” aka a pretty boy. O_O
It seems that every year something surprising comes up…and this is definitely one of them…
I was horrified with the ingenious method for smuggling the drug. O.O
It is unfortunate that these young and talented kids must resort or are pressured to such things in order to get into the perfect “shape” or be in the perfect “mode.”
The unnamed singer has been described as a “kkot-minam,” aka a pretty boy.
I am thinking Junjin or SJ members………. Please no to neither of my guesses.
Aww, sh*t, there are plenty of pretty boys on variety shows and Sere mentioned the Suju boys which makes me think of Heechul. Please tell me it isn’t so!
THe pretty boy is Gdragon xD
KIDDING.
But that would explain the weird hairstyles :]
@31 – That last bit makes me think JunJin of Shinhwa for some reason. Just for the sheer fact that he’s on a few reality shows and I consider him a “pretty boy” but I am in now way accusing him (don’t want Shinhwa fans on my butt).
As for JJH, I’m still going to be a fan of his. Yes, he made a mistake which a lot of people see as a big mistake and I agree but you can’t totally write him off or be an anti for making mistakes. He will definitely be reprimanded and his career will never be the same. I agree with the person (#6) who said he needed to state an apology to his fans, if he still wants those fans to stick with him. Second, he definitely needs to step away from the spotlight and wait till this ordeal passes and the public can move on to the next big scandal. His best bet would be to go ahead with his military service since he has to anyways.
Like Robyn said (#6) Robert Downey Jr. had a history of drug use but is now regarded as one of Hollywood’s best actors. People make mistakes and of course Korean Entertainment industry standards are different from Hollywood’s but they can’t totally write off someone because of a mistake like this. He needs to get the right punishment and then let him continue on with his work if he desires to continue as an actor.
That “pretty boy” is shaking in his boots right now. He’d be shaking even more once he does rehab.
“The unnamed singer has been described as a “kkot-minam,” aka a pretty boy. O_O”
Do they just mean a pretty boy in general… or are they hinting at BOF cast >.>
Doesn’t LMH smoke alot, HJ drinks alot, Kim Joon and his dark circles…………… yeah I’m getting carried away XD
If it wasn’t for the fact that this person is a pretty boy and goes on shows alot, I would have guessed Andre Kim -.-
This is no longer about simply JJH, but now a mystery game of who the other people involved are :O
awww i feel bad for ji hoon even if he deserved it.
what the hell? michael phelps can do pot and nobody cares, but this???
@ Tippy, #18
Yeah, that’s really interesting.
kkot-minam was a word before Boys Before Flowers. doubt it’s them.
I am going through the 2nd episode of Story of A Man. There was a prison scene where Park Yong Ha/Kim Shin where his sister in law visited him and he told her not to visit him anymore and don’t even write. Reason being relatives of people doing time are targets too?!
I have some appreciation for Korean’s culture and society during my travels there. But obviously not enough to understand why the “down trodden” have very little social standing in this society. Life is hard. But looks like it’s even harder in Korea.
I can’t help but feel for Sol-hee, Hak Young and JJH and their families, plus those whose names are yet to be mentioned.
Does this mean that these people and their families would have to move to some remote parts of Korea, out of the country perhaps to avoid being ostracized? Would a native Korean enlighten me, please?
oh boy. ecstasy and ketamine? those are some pretty hard drugs … truthfully speaking, as good as an actor he may have been, he might as well kiss his acting career away.
CRAP!!! Ohh man!!…ok, this is ridic! Well. good thing to know he wasn’t selling.
@42, omo -
I’ve not seen Story of a Man, but generally speaking, in dramas when someone says to another, “don’t show your face to me again, don’t call, don’t write, etc.,” it isn’t necessarily literal, it is emotive. That is to say, the equivalent English idiomatic expression would be something like “your very presence / the sight of you / even just thinking about you makes me sick.” With respect to the English expression, it isn’t that the sight of someone actually makes a person physically ill, the phrase “makes me sick” is just an expression that conveys disgust and anger and deep-seated emotional antagonism. Similarly, saying that kind of thing “don’t show your face to me again, don’t call, don’t write, etc.” conveys the same basic conveyance of disgust.
And, somewhat interestingly, either way you translate it (figurative or literal), the Korean phrase will have the same basic effect:
If Person A says to Person B, “you disgust me” (the figurative meaning). We can infer that Person B should probably not hang out with Person A.
If Person A says to Person B, “don’t show your face to me again” (literal meaning). We can also say that Person B should probably not hang out with Person A.
Now, in Korea, there is an element of shared familial burden with respect to bad things that happen. Actually, now that I think about it, this is true of many cultures not just in Korea, so I don’t think it is that uncommon. In New York, for example, if you try to find any extended members of the Madoff family still remaining in various social circles, I doubt you will succeed. They’ve all gone underground, and for good reason.
-Samsooki
My guess is Kim Hyung Joon from Boys Over Flower…She looks like he’s out all the time.
I meant he looks like he’s out all the time
I really wish he wouldn’t get dropped from the drama. It was MARCH 2008. It’s been so long. And he only used it twice. It’s really not bad. He seemed like the type to do it anyways. ughhh! I really hope he comes back with stuff. I have a feeling I won’t see him for a while.
@omo, it sounds like you misunderstood that scene in Story of a Man. Shin tells his sister-in-law to stay away from him and never visit him in prison because he has an outstanding debt with a loan shark. If the loan sharks find out that he has family members, they will go after them to reclaim the debt. If he has nobody vouching for him, the loan sharks have nobody to terrorize.
So while a family member may suffer a bit when a relative goes to jail, it’s not quite as bad as you’re thinking.
It’ll be interesting to see what sort of deal Yoon Seol-hee got to reveal names. I’m hoping that she wasn’t stupid enough to take others down with her for no reason. As for her career being over, seems like there never really was one. Working in Gangnam bars and dealing? Lovely.
It’s also interesting how each person’s mind works. As soon as I read “a famous singer who appears on television talk shows frequently”, I thought of Alex. Don’t ask why, no real reason, it just popped into my head.
fyi, #50 was me, not “ohrs” – sorry! That was weird.
*whimpers* no more drama from Joo Ji Hoon TT_TT I’m so disappointed with him but I can’t help but still love the poor guy lol I feel bad for him cause he only did it twice (even though i know that shouldn’t be an excuse) plus he had such a great future ahead of him. It sucks, especially since Korean is pretty harsh when it comes to drug use (come on, this is coming from the country that banned songs that they found “inappropriate,” do you expect anything less?)
Grrr stupid Yoon Seol-hee…it’s all because she got caught… XP
Hope that none of my favs (or cast of BOF) are part of this scandal also TT_TT
Wow. This story is so ridiculously crazy (Korean ent. wise, but not as tragic as the one of that BOF actress who committed suicide… why haven’t her rape allegations been followed up?). Anyway.
This is a huge shocker, but one that was inevitable. Entertainment industries (no matter where they are) are filled with famous names that indulge in illegal and unhealthy lifestyles. The Korean entertainment business, compared to a few others, seemed to be a little more crafty with not letting scandals such as these become common place (like the American entertainment industry). I hope this is not going to become a trend, with celebs being outed and arrested for bad behaviour, but if people need to be taught a lesson about obeying the law, I welcome more news like this. I understand that there is a another level of stress involved with being in the limelight and we’ve all heard of those ridiculous work hours that allow for a few hours of sleep every night for weeks, but that is no excuse. With their fame should come a level of awareness. You’re a public figure now, you’re watched with microscopic intensity. Be a little mindful, will ya?
If there are any more K-celebs out there, shaking in their boots because of their own bad habits, I hope they kick them. Kick them fast.
The news of that ‘kkot-minam’ suspect is also disheartening. I have someone in mind, but hopefully, it’s not him. There are so many kkot-minam singers on variety shows so I will refrain from being presumptuous.
BTW. Thanks, javabeans, for having the most reliable English coverage on the net!
@ 47, for some reason i thought that too. I love KHJ but it makes me question if that was the reason for his lost personality and the time he and buddy TOP(also a ?) overdosed on sleeping pills but then, they’re still kinda young and their agencies have a tight leash on them. If they were doing that I’m sure they’d get their ears twisted by their agencies. Unlike the older singers like JunJin or Hwanhee, who are independent enough to do what they want. I doubt it’s Brian or Chae yeon like #26 said because they haven’t been on tv that much.
@ #11,
>>> I feel bad for Joo Ji-hoon == >
But should he be treated like he has no value as an actor or as a pariah in the industry for eternity because of it? Not at all. I think that people universally desire redemption in their fallen heroes
my sentiments too. the instant “pariah” status … oh boy.
if he is driven to suicide … would it make matters any better?
the moving-on process after a mistake, is more important in my books.
Samsooki summed it up very well in the other original thread (#179?)
*********************************************************************************
#22
>>> Am I a cynic if I say that this really does not surprise me? I’m more surprised that there aren’t more scandals of drug use, sex, videotapes in the Asian entertainment industry like there is in Europe and the US considering how most people love to read about scandals.
this type of news does NOT surprise me much either – it exists in the modelling and showbiz industry – globally. there is dirt under the glam be it drugs or other issues.
it just does not see the light of day everytime, esp not in Asia.
and has this not crossed anyone’s mind?
drugs can also be a means of control, for the agencies.
what’s also interesting – if they’d been tracking the trio and their drug involvement and going-ons for some time – is the timing coincidental that they expose the news NOW??
perfect.
nothing like another smokescreen. this scandal is also going in at same time the many industry bigwigs involved in BOF’s Jang Ja Yeon suicide case are also up for trial, ain’t it??
@52 ”I feel bad for him cause he only did it twice”
^This you dont know for sure. He could have just said he only used it twice. I seriously doubt it though cause the model Yeh Hak-young and Joo Ji Hoon were very close and were like brothers to eachother. Yeh Hak-young was the one supplying Yoon with 100 hundred million won to buy drugs.
Even before the drug bust, a lot of netizens have already commented that JJH looked stoned including me.
COMO PUDO ARRUINAR ASI SU CARRERA
Meh. I just hope JJH will stay strong and get through this; we don’t need another Ent. Industry/ Netizen hate related suicide.
Everybody making such a big deal out of it. I think almost all entertainment business runs with drug. Most of them are recreatinoal user, some maybe deep into drugs. JJH is not different from the rest of them, his fault was getting caught that is all. He needs to got to the rehab. Say sorry to public and get on with his life.
“:He needs to got to the rehab. ”
eh. I dont get it >.<
Aren’t rehabs for people who need help quitting? If he’s not addicted and such, why would he have to go to rehab just for using it? We don’t even know how much he’s been using it, so perhaps maybe he really did only use it twice.
“Everybody making such a big deal out of it.”
Meh. For people who like to imagine him being their boyfriend, ideal husband, the good-looking guy…. finding out the JJH uses drugs isn’t that pleasing to hear. It ruins all the other fantasies people have. Not everyone wants a boyfriend who uses drugs. The ideal husband thing goes crashing down too. May be good looking but can’t respect a dude as much when you know he’s on drugs.
He just isn’t what he seemed he was, and so in a way, it is a big deal.
I’m not condoning his behavior, he made his choices and now he’s going to pay for it, but I also happen to think that it’s not AS BIG a deal as people are making it out to be – in the case of joo ji-hoon. he dropped some e at a couple of parties – a lot worse used to go on when raves were the big thing here in cali. i feel bad because after watching him in antique, i feel he had a pretty promising actor’s career ahead of him, and to get busted now at a young age… well, it sucks. in a few years, if he hadn’t progressed into a full-time druggie, he would’ve probably looked back and laughed at his stupidity.
Feel free to skip. I just needed to rant. There’s nothing informative here.
I read this a couple of hours ago and, after the initial shock, I started thinking about the whole situation. I agree with a lot of you about how JJH should handle it, and I hope the other two have a strong support system so that they’ll be able to carry on after jail. I seriously don’t want to read about anyone else dying.
But, interestingly enough, what bothered me the most out of everything wasn’t the news itself or that JJH was involved — though it’s terribly disappointing. What bothered me the most was the fact that we’re the ones that get punished for his stupidity. (I know you can’t get more self-centered than this. I’ve come to terms with it.) I mean, we have to miss out on him because he was stupid enough to get involved in the whole mess! Forget getting caught. There wouldn’t be anything to catch if he had just stayed home or working or had watched an after school special and had said NO. I’m so pissed off at him. I wanna smack him upside the head.
I’m running out of actors too, favorite ones. They either die or go off to do their military service for far too long and now this.
Sorry, I’ll stop now. Thanks for the hard work, javabeans! Best blog ever. Rant over.
“There wouldn’t be anything to catch if he had just stayed home or working or had watched an after school special and had said NO.”
You mean saying no as in denying it? it would have been worse if he denied it. If Yoon Seol-hee or Yeh Hak-Young told about it later, people would find out perhaps anyways. Therefore, the situation might have been worse for him if he hid it ^^;;
But if you meant just not accepting the drugs in the first place, than yeah I agree ^^
Im just catching up with tnis now but the police have been tracking the drug operation for awhile?
And athough I think his career is effectively over, I dont feel as though he has to apologize to the public for his behavior, honestly, he is not accountable to them but more to himself and his family/friends.
It is just really disappointing and this will effectively shut him out of the industry and he could also say goodbye to his personal life as well since he will no doubt be an outcast altogether.
Here’s something I’ve been thinking about, and was hoping someone could shed some light on it for those who aren’t Korean and don’t know much about Korean society. I’m hoping Javabeans or anyone can answer this. Of all the places, I find this site one of the more reliable source of info.
A while back, I remember my Korean roommate in college telling me that it’s a real big scandal when a celebrity/celebrities are caught purposely trying to evade the mandatory military service through fake medical docs or other reasons. I can understand why people would be outrage over that. I just want to know what the difference is between a scandal like that and scandals involving illegal drugs. If a person who has been caught purposely evading their military service obligation goes and does his 2 years, and afterward is able to have a career again, then how come those involved in drug scandals are automatically “written off”, meaning that their career is “definitely over”? Is it because those caught up in drug scandals usually have to serve time in jail, and as a result, their career is over?
I’m not condoning drug usage, smuggling, buying, selling, etc. all of that. I do agree that those who sell them should be placed in jail. I just think it’s a shame that a person’s career will be over just for using drugs, even if they “claim” to have used it only once or twice, while those who had purposely evaded military services can make a comeback.
When I read this news yesterday, my initial reactions were shock, disbelief, and finally disappointment. I think JJH had a promising career, and if it ends because of his poor choice, then I think it’s a shame. I don’t think he’s necessarily the bad person some people are making him out to be. I just think he’s very human, someone who made some very poor choices. Nonetheless, as a fellow human, I only wish him the best and hopes that he recovers from this. If his entertainment career is definitely over, then I hope he finds peace and moves forward onto the next journey of his life. He has a long road ahead of him, and I hope that he will carry on with the support of his family and friends.
Also, I think it’s very brave of him to admit to his drug usage even though he knows fully what the consequences will be by admitting to it. Even though his career may be over, I think it was for the best that he admitted to it early on. It probably would have been a lot worse if he had initially lied about using drugs and then it was revealed afterward that he had in fact used them.
@ 55 jusash
Second that last thought of yours.
There must be a massive amount of people out there, racing around on damage control in the entertainment, financial, media and law fields for some time now. What to expose, what to cover up, who to protect, who to offer up as a scapegoat. Lots of the possible plots in the dramas, have a plausability of reflecting real events.
Saddening as the events of 2009 have been so far, this could refect the puppet masters loss of control. Scarry place at the top, because the only other way is down…..
Rant over.
Thank you for keeping us updated! While I know what JJH did was stupid, I so glad he wasn’t one of the people involved in smuggling and selling the drugs. Hopefully he can learn from his mistakes and recover his career eventually.. >_<
It’s funny when I see people saying that it was brave of Joo Ji Hoon for admitting that he used drugs. He had no choice but to admit it. His friends snitched on him, so it’s not as if he had a choice. He knew that denying it could get him in worse situation than he is now. Investigators have a way of getting a confession out of people. If they can get a confession out of criminals, how much more of Joo Ji Hoon who’s offense isn’t even close as the crimes that others have committed.
This post and the previous one pertaining to it seems to have caused quite a stir, and I love it. Thanks again Javabeans, on your keen insights. It’s interesting how some people are baffled as to how this will ruin Joo Ji Hoon’s career as an actor. Bouncing back after getting caught with drug use is 10x harder in South Korea, than it is in the U.S. The public may have embraced back certain American celebrities, even after being caught numerous times with drug use. However, in my opinion, it’ll be very hard for Mr. Joo, unless the Korea’s public is going to turn a blind eye.
Hwang Soo Jung, who was very popular during the late 90s and early 2000, was arrested for using philopon (aka crystal meth). She was out of the K-Entertainment industry scene for quite a while, then reappeared in 2007 in Salt Doll. However, I think the drama was somewhat unsuccessful, seeing that nobody really talked about it. If someone like her, who was once a very popular actress, had to stay out of the limelight for years, think of what Joo Ji Hoon has to do to make amends with the public eye.
thanks javabeans for being so informative to us non-korean speakers!
I just want to begin by saying that there is a HUGE difference between one evading a military duty to someone caught using drugs. I would not really want to react on the post but c’mon I can’t believe that you do not know the difference between the two.
Anyone can understand why there are people who do not want to do their mandatory military duty. Not everyone wants to go to the army. This is the reason why in other countries, no one forces you to do it, its voluntary. Korea has its own reasons why they made it obligatory.
Doing drugs is one hell of another matter. It is harmful and if the situation gets worse if you get addicted to it. After that it is not only yourself that will be affected but the people around you. It has a domino effect which is harmful to the community.
When you evade military duty and it was leaked to the public, it is only your pride that is tainted when you do drugs, pride is just a small matter here, it is physically harmful. This is the reason why they are called illegal drugs. Health experts found that these kind of drugs is harmful to the human body.
So, there is a huge difference why those who tried evading the military duty is more tolerable and so their careers did not really suffer. There are quite a few people who are lucky enough to be forgiven over and over again like Robert Downey Jr .
We will see now, after JJH survive this part of his life, if the Korean public is forgiving or not but for the meantime while this is going on, he can kiss his career goodbye.
Can he bounce back, a bigger percentage will be a NO but there is no such thing as impossible so prayers can help a lot. Maybe by the time this is all over, Korea will be more accepting of people who are determine to repent, that is, if JJH chooses to be a better and strong person after this.
Just my two cents. Thanks javabeans for your blog.
Thank you for the correct facts on this. Popseoul still has it wrong.
i think i’m still in denial that i’ll probably never catch JJH in a film or drama again.
sigh. he was so good in Mawang.
JI hoon Ssi, this is not the ending..You’ve been given a chance..It’s just the beginning of a brand new day to you; to start it all over again..Don’t give up..Everybody makes mistakes..Learn from the worst to make you a better and stronger one..Himnae Ji Hoon ssi..My pray is always be with you..
I love the choice of pictures you put up. Joo Ji Hoon is looking down which is where his career is going and the girl looks like an evil lolita witch, haha…. Not that I don’t blame Joo Ji Hoon for his drug habit, but I’m biased coz I love him in Antique. This is all very sad and disappointing to his fans…. Yes, I do trust your site more than other entertainment sites, whose information I take with a pinch of salt. This was so unexpected though. Why him? Pretty boy on variety shows = Brian? Haha, but I hope not, I adore the guy!
@ 69
Yes, he had no choice but to admit it since the girl revealed his name. However, in that situation, it still takes some courage to admit what you did. Not every can say that they themselves are able to easily admit their mistakes, especially when they have everything to lose.
@71
Yes, I know the difference between the two. Perhaps it’s because I grew up in the west, but I just don’t get why people are so easy to forgive those who purposely try to avoid their obligations as a citizen in South Korea and so ready to condemn those who uses drugs. If a person uses it once, as an experiment or whatever, and was caught, does that mean his/her life is over?
Yes, “illegal drugs” are harmful to the body, but so are “safe” drugs: alcohol and nicotine. Heavy consumption of alcohol can cause health problems such as liver damage, while smoking is a cause of emphysema, and lung cancer not only to the smokers, but also to those around them. People have gotten lung cancer from second hand smoke. All drugs are harmful to the body, not just those branded “illegal drugs.”
I remember a couple of months ago, I read an article about a Korean singer who has been banned from returning to South Korea because he evaded military service. Though he now has a career in China, he hasn’t been able to return to Korea. This had nothing to do with a drug scandal, but yet the punishment is the same since he has no career in Korea now.
Who gets to decide who gets a second chance and who gets damned for life? Song Seung Hun and So Ji Sup gets welcomed back, while that Korean singer is banned from Korea. Is there really a difference between military and drug scandals?
@65, Mei-
I’m not sure how big of a “scandal” it is to try to evade military service in Korea. First, there are different kinds of evasion. Some get a cushier posting for their service based on medical or other exemptions, others get deferments based on educational status or other reasons. And celebs don’t all go at the same time when they first reach service age (since university status delays service), so it is difficult to ascertain what their status is.
For these reasons, it’s not really that notable unless it is announced that a particular celeb doesn’t have to serve at all (say, due to a severe medical condition) or due to a special legislative exemption (say, granted from the government for popular reasons like World Baseball Classic players or World Cup soccer players, or for underhanded reasons like a powerful politician’s son). That said, it is a topic that every Korean can relate to, because the vast majority of Korean males have served in the military in some respect.
But you’ll find that rather than universal uproar with respect any particular exemption, it is more of a cynical response. That’s just the way it is. Most Korean guys that I know that have gone through compulsory military service would say that if they could have gotten away with it, they would have tried too.
***
As for drug offenses, this is a different story. Drug use is dirty, drug use is lower than being human (hard to translate the exact feeling), and using is “non” Korean character flaw that has been brought over from foreign lands.
All of this places a huge stigma upon the drug user, and that kind of stigma isn’t easily erased. Even if the drug user apologizes and tries to make amends, the stigma of being dirty, of being below human, of having a sickness inside of you, that kind of stigma remains. You can be forgiven, but you can’t erase the stigma.
It is hard for the stigma to just go away even in a year or two, because culture just doesn’t change that fast normally. I can say, “JJH is still the same person” and I can mean it, but I can also see how my parents and my relatives in Korea would say the opposite – that JJH is sick and is disgusting to look at, roughly translated.
-Samsooki
Actually it’s a big-ass deal to try to evade military service, if a celeb goes as far as to use deception and/or bribery to get out of it. Psy’s attempt to skirt his service got him slapped with an additional two years ( http://www.dramabeans.com/2007/12/its-back-to-the-military-for-psy/). And Song Seung-heon and Jang Hyuk probably would have lost their careers when it was exposed that they had tried to doctor false medical records to get out of serving, and the uproar was loud and angry. But then they went and did their two years and all is forgotten.
The difference between military evasion and drugs (aside from the obvious) is, every Korean male has gotta do service so I think people understand wanting to avoid army duty, so they sympathize — as long as the guy does it in the end, just like everyone else had to suck it up and do it. There is more of an issue with lingering resentment when the celeb never serves. Yoo Seung-jun, for instance, will never have a pop career in Korea again. (Is that fair? Probably not, but it’s how it goes in the current social climate.)
But even though there are similar cases of public vilification, shirking army duty and drugs are, naturally, completely different things. Like Samsooki said above, drugs are seen as dirty — and consider that in Korea (and many Asian nations), there’s still a prevalent mindset that doesn’t believe in mental illnesses, and therefore even medical use of a lot of drugs is frowned upon.
thanks for the update
after all the hoopla on JJH I am more interested now on how authorities will nail the big time supplier …. Yoon is a courier, YYH collects money from users…..JJH plus God knows how many celebs in K -ent plus non celebs as well are Users…. what about MR SUPPLIER-top of chain-head honcho of this syndicate ?? big players in this circus? I wonder who’ll be vigilant enough to run after them…..
no offense, it’s not like I’m condoning JJH for taking drugs, but because I live in SoCal, I don’t really see the “big deal” here. I understand that taking drugs is no joke and anyone with any kind of sensibility would/should not do such a thing, but drug usage is such a prevalent thing among celebrities and people in the entertainment/fashion industry, that I wouldn’t be surprise if half of them have not tried drugs at one point in their lives. This just needs to die down…and hopefully this will not totally BREAK JJH’s career. I mean just look at Robert Downey Jr. and the great comeback he’s made; or even Drew Barrymore. =]]
I was feeling sorry for JJH until I read something from the Yoon Eun Hye thread in soompi. Because of JJH’s stupidity her name has been dragged along with his into the mudd.
Apparently, because of the similarity of Yoon Seol-hee and Yoon Eun Hye’s name, the chinese media now think that the Miss Yoon that all the articles were referring to was Yoon Eun Hye. It has become so out of hand, to the point that related keywords for YEH include “YEH drug scandal” and etc.
It’s ridiculous that her reputation is getting tarnish because of Joo Ji Hoon’s stupidity. http://nownews.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20090427601008
Just to add to the military service-vs-drugs effect on a showbiz career: part of the acceptance of re-entry is kind of touch-and-go. could we say it’s a litmus test for the perceived worth of a celebrity’s appeal? 2 older actors who were very active in the 90s, got convicted of buying sex from minors in early-2000s. their comebacks have been very different: one seems to have better connections within industry (and is arguably more skilled), and has gone on to play supporting roles in rather high-profile movies/stage plays to this day (often as the Villain.) the other is still blacklisted, and receives public outcry every time he attempts to go back to TV. it’s interesting that one person’s past is all but forgotten, while the other one can’t be seen as anything but his crime.
@MEIKO: *hugzzz* maybe you should head over to the JJH thread @ soompi…….. I think you’ll find some comfort there, babe^^
———————–
IMO, attempting to overcome this scandal and maintain his celebrity status is extremely difficult for JJH…….Korea and other Asian countries don’t have as lenient a view on drugs as the US. I mean, I’ve become so desensitized about celebrities in our country using drugs that if I hear about one of them getting busted, I’ll just expect the whole apology-then rehab-then comeback attempt routine……..Hope JJH and other people who careers are probably will be destroyed by this scandal have the mental toughness to get through this
————————-
“Yoon smuggled the drugs past customs by inserting them into a menstrual pad (ewww!), which she then wore over an extra pair of underwear. ”
1 more reason NOT to do drugs right there!!!! You don’t know where the drugs came from, literally!!!! No matter how you spin it, still one of the grossest things ever!!!!! Just a big EWWWWW!!!! EWWWWWW!!!!! ><
Thanks for the update JB! Ugly…
pretty curious on who else uses drugs..
they say some of them are famous..
who could that be?
#83: I actually just came out of the Joo Ji Hoon thread and I find it quite funny how they’re throwing the blame around. It’s not anyones fault that JJH chose to make that decision. I love JJH as much as the next fan girl but the its a fact that he screwed up. The entertainment business is indeed a sketchy place.
#81: Maybe I’m not following this news as closely as you are, but I haven’t heard a single thing about Yoon Eun Hye being related to this scandal. I don’t see why you’re so upset about it. Regardless, rumours will be rumours.
The “kkot-minam”that is active in korea talkshow!! just making me crazy now…
the first person come across my mind is Junjin!! i’m really praying hard it’s not him… cause he’s really active in recent korea variety show n he’s sure a “pretty boy”
pls let my suspection be WRONG…
#86 read this http://nownews.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20090427601008
you dont see why i am pissed about it?
how would u feel if kang ji hwan’s name was dragged into something that could possibly ruin him and he wasn’t even involved? you’d be pissed too.
I wouldn’t worry about that Now News article. There’s really nothing bad about Yoon Eun-hye at all in it, and it’s the equivalent of a Korean paper picking out comments from this thread and saying, “Some overseas fans felt sorry to hear about Joo.” It is certainly not going to ruin her, and probably won’t even be a blip on the radar.
There have been a couple articles (and I use the word “article” loosely) about Chinese netizen reaction and Japanese netizen reaction to the drug scandal, but in my opinion those are more silly than anything because they take the comments of a few internet users and make it seem like the whole country feels a certain way.
“a famous singer who appears on television talk shows frequently.”
Kkotminam??!!!
please not the suju boys…
thank you JB for the update…
it gonna be uglier and messier this week (or month??!!)
i just hope they release other names as soon as possible so we can have it, disscussed it and get over it… it drive me crazy waiting for the updates…
although i don’t live in Korea, i know Asian countries looked upon drug users with that kinda label ‘dirty’ as Samsooki stated in #77, but i really hope that the society will forgive JJH (given as many time they need) and he will return to the entertainment world, such a waste of talent if he were never going to have a future in Korean Ent. world
If someone is Using drugs its the same of possession of drugs. No difference
You know what, even with his drug bust, he shouldn’t suffer for it. The fan meet shouldn’t be canceled because the fans are going to be even more disappointed then had he went on with it with the drug accusation to his name.
If they were true fans, they would cut the dude some slack. People slip. As long as he isn’t addicted!! If he is, well then everyone knows what goes on from there.
The movie bomb… I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I’m assuming they dropped him because they don’t want the “bad press” damaging their “promotional efforts,” but if he showed potential to make the movie into something great, why not keep the guy.
I wonder what other celebrities are connected to this bust. =\
I’m so biased.
Poor guy, he was stupid to get stuck in that predicament and hopefully he learns his lesson. Huge disappointment there, but if all goes well, he’ll be fined a large amount and that’s it. I don’t know how the law works over in Korea.
Pretty boys are shaking now..(not with the Ex pill ..but thinking the cops might come knocking’ on their door anytime now..) LOL..
Emm..just to say that So JiSub was not in the SSH/Jang Hyuk/ Han JaeSuk army thing..
That skank Yoon probably needed more money to do more adventures on her face..
But this is not the end Ju JiHun..just go serve the army and you’ll come back a strong man with muscles..
Thanks JB for more infos on this ..some sites are ridiculous..seriously.
“If someone is Using drugs its the same of possession of drugs. No difference”
Yeah. By the end of the day youre just a citizen in Korea and is treated the same as others. The only thing is, he’s probably being seen as a bad influence within society being such a public figure >.>
Recently, lots of incidents have been occurring.
Korea – JJH incident.
Hong Kong – Jill Wei incident (Taking drugs illegally)
Japan – Tsuyoshi Kusanagi drunk and naked in the park. Last I heard, Japanese minister Kunio Hatoyama called him shameless >.>
hmm.. in such circumstances, will the army still want him to serve? being a drug user?
@Polly,
Possession of drugs means drugs were found ON the person. Physically present. That is certainly different than being charged with using.
#71 ………….. This is the reason why in other countries, no one forces you to do it, its voluntary. Korea has its own reasons why they made it obligatory
NO. serving national service is compulsory in Singapore as well.
#76. i guess you are talking the one who gave up his Korean citizenship to avoid serving NS
as far as i am concerned, none of Chinese website mistaken his Goong’s female counterpart with d lady who sold durgs to him
but some survey shows, 70% of his fans still support him ..
I’m really wondering if readers here on Dramabeans would stop watching any of Joo Ji Hoon’s dramas or movies after this scandal broke out. I honestly cannot find a reason why I would. I even think drug use is bad but that won’t stop me from ever watching Goong again or Devil or Antique Bakery or Naked Kitchen.
I watch dramas and movies for the pure entertainment value and if the actor can convey a character properly then why should he be held back from acting.
People have mentioned Robert Downey Jr and his drug use but he has kept on making movies and had a huge hit with Iron Man. When I watched Iron Man, I wasn’t sitting there in the movie theater thinking about how RD Jr was a past druggie. I was sitting in my chair thoroughly enjoying him playing Iron Man.
Just wondering what other readers were thinking. Would something like this situation really make you stop watching your favorite stars dramas or movies?
that’s just too bad…poor guy. I loved him in Goong…awww….
” pretty boy who appears on tv a lot”
that’s half of suju. But really if its one of the big companies i don’t think it’ll get out they’d handle it ( can you hear the wallets breaking out?). And they’re pretty strict on their artist no?
i really hope its not suju, but i am so curious to know now.
and i was really looking forward to tokyo tower & naked kitchen
wish him the best of luck ~
*great now everytime i watch suju anything i play my own detective game of whos the druggie? …heechul im onto you XD
I’m not even a Joo Ji-hoon fan but I feel kind of sorry for him.. He had so much going for him lately and, at least for now, everything’s gone.. for experimenting with drugs a couple of times (or I guess there could’ve been a few more occasions?). I’m not condoning his behavior.. it’s just sad to see someone with such a promising future losing everything because of this one mistake.
#99: no I won’t stop rewatching Goong or Antique. And I will continue to watch his project if there is one in the future. I love to see people rise from even worse situation i.e. people living with AIDS and I have faith in them who thrive from the worst. No, I am not Korean, of course.
I’m so friggin nervous about this matter. I agreed about him going to the military.
Ji hoon.. why?? why?? I think I’m dissapointed. very! I just wish him to be clean and healthy and happy and get on track and don’t just dissapear.
I reeeeally don’t like the way the korean authorities are handling this. If they aren’t confident enough in their accusations to name names, why drop lines about how one of the drug users is a “popular pretty boy”? What purpose does saying that serve besides to generate even more sensation and uproar while everyone waits for them to release the names? Just seems likes it’s making an awful situation, for the stars and their fans alike, all the more painful.
[...] source: Frontier Times, Star News, Munhwa Journal 21, Sports Khan, IB Times translations: dramabeans [...]
@Jasmin: I’ll still be watching his dramas ^^
Yes I was shocked at this news and dissapointed, but to be honest, that was it. I was never much of a fan of JJH nor do I dislike him. If he’s in a drama that seems interesting, I’ll watch it probably.
Now out of curiousity, when it comes to pretty boys, why is everyone pointing to Super Junior o.o?
To be honest, K-pop is FLOODED with pretty boys. While it’s true that SJ are on tv alot, there are lots of other pretty boys on shows too.
(Actually, since having SBS, KBS, and MBC on tv there are tons of shows from news, mbc theater, sitcoms, food channels and world news and etc. I noticed when talking to my friends, when they think of Korean shows they instantly think of those Happy Sunday shows and Inkigayo or SSGB etc. But these channels are flooded with other shows where other stars come on as well… maybe they’re just not popular here :/ )
Why are people so judgemental…some of these commentors and others. It makes no sense to me for people to be saying that they’re so disappointed in joo ji hoon cuz he was such a good actor and he used drugs. Those are two separate and distinct things about him. You are NOT his mother. If you say that then u are not truly liking an actor for his work.
He is destroying his career because of stupid drugs.
I totally agree with kt.
i totally agree with kt. joo ji hoon is first and foremost a human being, and all human beings are capable of mistakes. i understand that he is a famous actor and everything, but, he isn’t some almighty being. yes, drug use is bad…but he’s obviously not an addict. he only did it twice…i don’t see why people are making such a big deal over that, as if he is an addict or does it on a daily basis. Of course he should be punished by law appropriately, and production companies have the say of letting him stay or go on films and whatnot, but him being a human being and an actor should be separated. He has shown great potential as an actor and should not be punished as an actor just because of his past drug use.
i also think that society should be more understanding and willing to help resolve the issue at hand instead of dragging it out and ruining lives. as seen with the recent cases of suicide, i believe that instead of pointing fingers, society as a whole should address the reasons why these things are happening and help get these people help.
These problems exist and having a conservative outlook on things isn’t going to help change things or move society along. Unless Koreans want their suicide rate to increase and issues like drug use to rise, they should take a better approach to resolving things. Just passively sitting there and pointing fingers at people will not resolve things. The root of the problem is deeper than just drug trafficking or drug use.
Sigh… Joo JiHoon, you idiot.
This makes me very sad. Joo Ji Hoon was an actor whose work I enjoyed watching. He’s now effectively ended his career. Maybe in a few years down the line he’ll attempt a comeback if he still cares, but it just won’t be the same. Good luck, idiot.
now i’m praying my favourite star is not caught for using drugs….
if not i will cry lol.
sigh,korea enterainment also like this…
hope stars won’t do this again as i’m getting more and more disapointted now..
*pray my favourite stars not using drugs*
#108. I think fans have a right to say that they’re “disappointed in him,” because he’s someone that they idolize and love. They’ve done everything they can to support his career and yet here he is throwing it all away over something that isn’t even worth it. Your actions reflect your character and your moral values. No company would want someone with such an image to represent their company or movie. #110, I think you present a good solution but of course its alot harder than it sounds. There are numerous people (and celebrities) who go through rehab and some become better while others just continue making the same mistakes again. How can you help someone who doesn’t want to be helped?
#88: Like I said, rumours will be rumours. What can you change by stressing it? If she doesn’t have anything to do with it, then her name will be cleared up.
@45 Samsooki and @49 JB
I have meant to reply until I got distracted by the suicide post.
Thanks for clarifying. I know this is a new drama and still airing so I decided to watch with Chinese subtitles because someone said they come out a lot faster. Maybe I should have known better. However, I promise to rewatch with English subs. Fortunately I am only at epi 2.
I have only been addicted (poor choice of word here) to all things Korean since Dec 2008. And I just want to appreciate each drama so much more by understanding the cultural and societal aspects of it. Knowing the Korean language will certainly help in understanding all the subtle nuances that Samsooki pointed out. I have been to Seoul more than 12 times on business and my sister worked and lived there for a year. That’s no help in understanding their culture any better. Like Sere, I hope to learn the language and be able to appreciate kdramas
Back to the original topic.
JB, I hope you are right that things are not that bad in Korea and so the 3 people here and their families will ride out this ordeal.
Samsooki : As for Bernard Madoff and family, you mean they are still known by that last name? Somehow, I just don’t have the kind of sympathy for the Madoff family as I do for these 3 families in question here.
question: why are these people even in debt, much less deep debt? i mean they’re a celebrity by definition, no?
* I know the situation isn’t funny, but this tidbit is as hilarious as it is gross: Yoon smuggled the drugs past customs by inserting them into a menstrual pad (ewww!), which she then wore over an extra pair of underwear. *
Um… the situation is pretty effing hilarious! (*hee hee*) – what with using the unknown doll face as a drug mule, the baby-level of hard drugs (go to another country, people), and now, with the prosecutor’s office barely avoiding bringing in the wrong guy (as Joo Ji Hoon’s real name is Joo Young Hoon).
It’s pretty funny. No one dead (thus making it mean to laugh), a bunch of oddballs getting busted.
It’s good that it’s strict in Korea. Sure, some people can grease palms and get through, but hey, when you see celebrities and sons of Chaebol carted off, well, it gets a snort from this worker bee’s day.
@99. I get what you mean, but after all that has happened, I think a lot of people will look at jjh and refer to him as “that guy that did drugs”. It kinda spoils the whole effect of watching those kdramas, when you have that thought floating around your brain.
@116. People tend to spend more than they earn to maintain a certain “image” , if you have ever been to any of the developed asian countries, you’ll know how materialistic and brand-obsessed their society can be. Or maybe they just made really bad financial decisions, it is a global recession after all.
holy crap this is some crazy shit.
and there are 8 celebs along with joo?? that’s freaken crazy!!!
and i can’t believe her management didn’t keep an eye on what she was doing. even if she was a small time actress….what she does effects their company name.
#116 . Not all celebrities make a huge amount of money. Especially those who don’ t get many job offers. They become in dept for the same reasons we’re in dept. Whether that be gambling problems, living expenses, or even shopping.
whoooooaaaa!!!! i commented before at Joo ji Hoon’s pictures at Prada Transformers like 6 days ago that i always been wondering about his weight loss and he’s skin and i even said that he looks like a drug addict, but omg!! who could have know this? my guess was right, few days later, there you go, he’s reported to be using drugs? omoo, why my dear, why did you risk and endanger you career, my poor ji hoon. i have been waiting for you next drama and omg, i guess i wont be seeing him anymore from now on.
when I heard this news for the first time, I was like… “OMG!!!!!!!”
why would he such a stupid thing? he risk his career right??
about the “pretty boy”-ie thing, because whenever I heard pretty-boy, I would always thing of Jaejoong of DBSK (although he doesn’t like being called “pretty” or “beautiful), then I hope right away that it will never be Jaejoong.
however, I read the comments above, and there are some of you guessing Kim Heechul from SJ,
then I remember that before this news, I already began to wonder if Heechul is on drugs or not, because he seems to become crazier and his face looks not that fresh… I mean pale or something?
anyhow, we need to wait for the next (latest) update of this drugs scandal…
im so sad abt jo ji hoon…hes been my favorite since goong…
but he is responsible for all the things he done…i just hope this things teach him a very good lesson in his life!!!
That BUMMMMMMM
That WHOREEEEEEEEE
they were stupid enough to be caught
[...] May 3 by riavents Joo Ji-Hoon who played Prince Gian in Princess Hours admitted using drugs The future of his career doesn’t look good. This is sad. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)More on The [...]
man its easy to condemn some1 for taking drugs huh?
[...] View original here: More on the drug scandal — Dramabeans [...]
[...] this story is all over the K-pop blogs, but DramaBeans provides the best coverage: see here, here and then here for all the details in chronological order, to which I’d add the surprising [...]
hope all of them get a the maximum sentence for their crimes.
i do not have any sympathy for anyone of them.
they should all pay for gambling their lives.
…i never thought you can did it ……….but maybe you have a reason….. well after all happy birthday……… i hoped you can perform in japan but you just can’t… you are very unbelievable……… but i’m still yourfan””and thats solid
”””””” i pray you can defend yourself……………i regret a ot about the scandal you involved… honestly i was really really shocked
say sorry for it.
say how hard it was.
cry in public
get it over.
and no more drug!
ppl pliz dont make mountain out of a mole. taking drugs is very common thesedays. why is he singled out ??? no matter what so ever ugly pics u try to dig out , i m 1000% sure that u will fail. he was born handsome……… i really really hope that JJH will come out of this. If not korea, u have this international look n capability to make it in america. love u….. a big shit to all haters of JJH.
I think that he only did it out of curiosity, and he was drunk for god’s sake! i think that you guys arnt cutting him any slack! HE IS HUMAN, humans make mistakes. It’s good that he did it so he can learn not to do it again, i think he’s VERY SEXY, and a GREAT ACTOR at that. I’m a little sad that he wont be making any new movies/drama’s soon and that both KBS & MBC. A years time was really bad, its not like he sold it, he only did it and bought it. AJA AJA! YOU CAN GET OVER IT JI HOON!!~~
Joo Ji Hoon we are always here to support you!
Don’t give up. We don’t hate you, I will never hate you, I know you can survive,
meanwhile, just accept the consequences, we are here to wait for you…
And for those people who couldn’t understand him, please don’t judge so easy, because you don’t know the whole story, after all he made us happy, show some gratitude and respect…