Korean Stars with Criminal Records Likely to Never Appear on TV Again

On November 25, Congressman Oh Young Hoon of the Democratic Party of Korea put a revised bill in motion that will prohibit Korean celebrities with criminal records from appearing on television.

The revised bill prohibits broadcasters from casting celebrities with criminal records related to drugs, sexual assault, drinking under the influence, and gambling that has led to confinement, imprisonment, or capital punishment.

If the bill is passed, celebrities with criminal records will no longer be able to return to television after their hiatus.

Under the current law, broadcasters are forbidden from encouraging acts of crime, but many celebrities eventually return to the screen after a period of self-reflection.

Among the celebrities currently active on Korean television, there are quite a few who have a criminal history.

Actor Ju Ji Hoon was sentenced to 6 months in prison and 1-year probation for the use of drugs, and Lee Soo Geun and Tony An were found guilty of gambling.

In addition, BIGBANG‘s T.O.P was sentenced to 10 months in prison and 2-year probation for the use of marijuana, and stars such as S.E.S‘s Shoo, JYJ‘s Park Yoochun, and more have been sentenced to probation for various crimes.