KBS Opts Not To Ban Park Shi Hoo

Now that the Park Shi Hoo case has been dismissed, his fans are wondering how the networks will respond.

So far, only KBS has issued a statement saying that he is not on the list of actors whose appearance they have banned.

Last month, all three stations declined to place him on such a list, saying that the court case had not yet been decided. Now that the case has been dropped, KBS made its decision.

"Park Shi Hoo was not included on the most recent list of named banned from KBS broadcast," said a representative for the station. "His case was dropped and the investigations have come to a close. Because of this, he's not included on the ban list."

Others whose status is still pending include actresses Park Si Yeon, Lee Seung Yeon and Jang Mi In Ae, because of the ongoing investigation into their Propofol abuse, and MC Kim Yong Man for his illegal sports gambling.

All three stations banned singer Go Young Wook, who was sentenced to five years of jail for sexual assault and relations with minors.

The Park Shi Hoo case began in February when a trainee actress, known as "A" accused Park Shi Hoo of sexual assault after they spent the night together. He claimed their relations were consensual. The Seoul Police forwarded the case for prosecution but then last week, the actress withdrew all charges. The dismissal of the case and the fact that Park Shi Hoo is not on the banned list does not mean that he will be seen in any shows on those stations.

"Even if he's not banned, it's still up in the air if he'll ever appear on a broadcast again," said the statement by KBS. "Public opinion of him has been affected and is not so positive."

No information has been released on why "A" dropped the charges. Neither "A" nor Park Shi Hoo have made any statements.

The actor was recently quoted as saying that the incident has been traumatic for his whole family. His reputation has been damaged. His promising career, which included a recent appearance in the dramas "Cheomdamdung Alice," "Prosecutor Princess" and the "Princess' Man," has been derailed and it is difficult to say if the scandal will affect his career permanently or only temporarily.

His fans say that he has not been proven guilty and is being judged unfairly for having a one-night stand. But other netizens say that he is now permanently linked to the rape scandal. With plenty of talented scandal-free actors competing for roles, he does not stand a chance of a comeback. But that remains to be seen.