The Infamous Dating Rumor That Wreaked Havoc On The Korean Entertainment Industry
The Korean entertainment industry has had its fair share of dating controversies, but one particularly salacious rumor implicated three celebrities and launched a police investigation.
Legendary singer Na Hoon A, nicknamed the “Emperor of Trot,” took drastic measures at a press conference to prove this rumor–which was sparked by the sudden cancellation of his concert–false. He had canceled his annual concert at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts without notice, piquing netizens’ curiosity.
Shortly after his “disappearance,” Na Hoon A took the top spot on Korea’s No. 1 search engine, Naver. Among other things, Na Hoon A was rumored to have been castrated by a Japanese mob boss for having an affair with his lover, a Korean actress identified as “K.”
Internet gossip and media reports about the mysterious K dragged actresses Kim Hye Soo and Kim Sun A into the mess. Both were accused of being the mistress of Na Hoon A and a Japanese gangster who did not exist. SidusHQ, Kim Hye Soo’s agency, officially denied the rumor, as did Kim Sun A.
Since the rumor involved the yakuza, Busan Metropolitan Police Agency launched an investigation into Na Hoon A’s disappearance. His whereabouts were reportedly traced through his family and his agency. The investigation ended with police declaring the rumor false and confirming that Na Hoon A had not been harmed by the yakuza. At that time, the police reportedly encouraged Na Hoon A to come forward and address the rumors directly.
Na Hoon A did just that in 2008, at a press conference held at the Grand Hilton Hotel in Seoul. Na Hoon A expressed his anger and emotional distress to the reporters present with words, but also unconventional actions. He unzipped his pants on live television to prove, once and for all, that he had not been castrated.
