I hadn’t intended on posting about actress Ok So-ri’s current adultery case, because South Korean law is one subject that I freely admit is beyond me. But the news has hit the international newswire, so here we go:

The 39-year-old Ok, who enjoyed most of her popularity in the ’90s (her last film was 1996’s Karuna), admitted to having an affair. That alone was scandalous enough, but in Korea, adultery is still a criminal offense. Korea’s adultery rate is high, but rarely is it actually prosecuted. (Imagine the overcrowding of prisons were that true!) However, a 55-year-old adultery law has enabled Ok’s husband to press charges. Ok has attempted to overturn the law, but the prosecution is now looking to send her to jail. TO JAIL. FOR ADULTERY.

Reuters says:

“South Korean enacted its adultery law more than 50 years ago to protect women who had few rights in the male-dominated society but critics say now it is a draconian measure no longer fit for a country with an advanced civil and family court system. …Last month, the Constitutional Court said adultery damaged the social order and therefore was a criminal offence.”

Now, I’m not condoning cheating, but the problem is that this is an archaic law and is being misapplied here as a revenge tactic more than a protection of rights. It’s also pretty damn hypocritical given that Korea’s got a booming sex trade (with the vast majority of johns being men, married and otherwise) and an extremely high (and ever-increasing) divorce rate.

Way to punish one person for the “crimes” of an entire nation, Korea. This here is some fecking messed-up shiz, people.

Via Arts News, Chosun Ilbo, Reuters

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Kim Hyun-joo appeared in her last drama, Insoon is Pretty, a year ago, but she still hasn’t received full payment for it.

She filed a lawsuit on the 19th to demand payment; drama production company (Kim Jong-hak Productions) and her former management company (Yeonyeong Entertainment) owe her approximately 100 million won, or about $70,000. Yeonyeong defends itself, saying that the production company did not pay the full amount so they have no money to hand over to her. The production company, on the other hand, says they had agreed with the former management company that the pay was to be reduced, and states that their obligation has been met. Neither side is budging; hence the lawsuit.

Kim Hyun-joo’s next project is the long-awaited Boys Before Flowers. Let’s hope Group Eight pays its actors properly (with the amount of attention being paid to the production, it’ll be hard for anything to slip past public notice).

Via Star News

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Jo Sung-min is a baseball player and sports commentator, but he’s probably most famous for being ex-husband to the deceased Choi Jin-shil, who is now causing a stir as he attracts the ire of the Korean public for the continuing battle to claim custody of his kids.

Many have thrown their support behind Choi’s brother and mother, who are fighting to retain custody of the two children who were reportedly not even aware of their father’s existence. In fact, there’s even an online café that’s sprung up of people opposed to Jo’s taking custody of the children, and the members are organizing a candlelight vigil early next week to express their opposition. This event will take place in conjunction with a women’s organization as part of a “citizens’ campaign.” The exact details of the time and place have not yet been made public.

As of November 7, there were more than 5,720 netizens who signed their opposition, stating their displeasure with a law that would revert the children of a single parent to the ex-spouse upon the death of the caregiving parent. They accuse Jo of abusing this law to take the kids (and, presumably, Choi’s remaining estate), arguing that Jo gave up his parental rights upon his divorce, and the members plan to look deeper into Jo’s intention of adopting his children. (Question: If one must legally adopt one’s own children — Choi had won the right to register her children under her family name — doesn’t that mean that the children aren’t automatically in their father’s legal custody? *legal confusion abounds*)

The facts of the case paint Jo as a deadbeat dad who gave up all responsibility (if not legal rights) for caring for his kids four years ago. There’s also the part where he beat his ex-wife. On the other hand, he IS the children’s biological father and I’m sure there is more to any story than what the public knows.

But in any case, I’m a little in awe of the fact that citizens would take up the issue to advocate on behalf of a beloved deceased actress.

Via Sports Seoul

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• News bites: November 3, 2008
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• Extending the Choi family line

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Just goes to show: don’t mess with a celebrity. Particularly one as rich and famous as Song Il-kook who doesn’t take kindly to be painted as a woman-beater.

To refresh memories: A freelance reporter, Kim Soon-hee, accused Song of assault back when she was trying to approach him for an interview regarding his upcoming wedding in January. He refused and went into his home. She sued that Song struck her in the face and knocked her teeth loose. He countersued saying she was a big fat liar. The court then ruled that the security camera footage supported Song’s stance that they had barely touched, to which she countered that the footage (taken from Song’s home security cameras) was doctored in his favor. A cameraman testified to back up her story. Song then accused the woman of false accusations and perjury.

The final trial regarding the false accusation claim opened on September 11. Now the actor’s reps are calling for punishment for her actions, requesting 2 years and 6 months’ hard jail time. Ouch.

However, with Reporter Kim maintaining that she is innocent of the charge, people are wondering how the judge will rule. Her lawyer said, “Another reporter present at the time testified that there was a physical fight with Song Il-kook, and in the act of shutting his apartment’s glass doors (in her face, I presume), five of Kim’s teeth were injured. … Ms. Kim has no intention of slandering Song Il-kook.” Kim said in her defense, “The investigators didn’t believe me and charged me with making false accusations.”

The ruling on this case will be delivered on September 25.

Via EDaily.com

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• (Probably) not a woman-beater after all
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According to the Seoul Central District Court, the Korea Music Copyright Association received a request from an American songwriter that sales be stopped for Jang Nara’s sixth album “Dream of Asia.” She’s charged with infringing on copyright by recording a song without permission, “Mirage” [신기루], for which she also recorded its English version, “If You Ask Me To” (listen below).

Korean version “Mirage”:

Engrish version “If You Ask Me To”:

The written application states: “The producers used the song on the sixth album without consent of the copyright holders, and the American songwriter has clearly stated never giving permission… This is a clear act of copyright infringement.” The application demanded that the album be pulled from online music services, and the recording cease production and sales.

Bad Korea! We all know you rip off artists all the time, but now you’re finally starting to get called on it legally. First Hyori, now this? Maybe kpop would be better if you started writing your own songs. (Then again, maybe not.)

Via Yonhap News

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