South Korean actress Ha Ji Won recently shared her personal experience in which she was sexually harassed when she visited a club at Hongdae, a popular area of Seoul known for entertainment facilities.
The revelation came in the preview of an upcoming episode of comedian Shin Dong Youp's YouTube channel "Zzanbro," released on December 8, KST.
During the web appearance, Ha recounted the context for her club visit. She explained that she was preparing to perform for singer Wax and needed to practice dance movements. "So they took me to a club at Hongdae," Ha Ji Won said, when asked by Shin Dong Youp about the purpose of the visit.
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Ha described the incident that left a lasting impression on her. "As soon as I stepped in, someone grabbed my butt," she remembered to share with the hosts and leaving them visibly shocked. Shin Dong Youp teasingly responded, "Didn't you become a regular at the club after that? Or was that not true?" he joked, prompting Ha to appear flustered.
According to News1, Ha Ji Won has featured in the same segment as actresses Kim Sung Ryung and Jang Young Ran, which will be part of a JTBC variety show entitled "Same-day Delivery to Our Home." The episode with Zzanbro will air on December 15 at 7 p.m. KST.
Koreaboo pointed out that the frank discussion represented one of the few times Ha had spoken publicly about harassment in the entertainment industry. Social media viewers commented about it online and showed support for the actress, saying it took a lot of bravery to talk about such a sensitive issue in public.
The revelation has also ignited broader discussions about safety and harassment in nightlife settings in South Korea. News1 noted that disclosing these incidents is crucial to building awareness of the issue.
Ha Ji Won's bravery in sharing what happened to her has sparked further discussion on harassment in entertainment and highlights the serious need for performers to be protected, even in their social lives.
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