South Korean film director Bong JoonHo is currently in the center of a controversy when allegations that he instructed actor Won Bin to touch actress Kim HyeJa’s breasts began to circulate.
The director’s recent work ‘Parasite’ won the Palme d’Or.
According to various reports from South Korean news agencies, the alleged incident took place during the filming of ‘Mother’ (2009). Actress Kim HyeJa’s statement has lead netizens to believe that there was no evident consent from her regarding the fondling of her breasts.
She stated:
“There is a scene in the movie where WonBin tells JinGoo that he is sleeping with his mother. While I was laying down, he touched my breasts. That part was not in the script, and I assumed that there must have been a reason why it happened, but he told me that Director Bong instructed him to do so.”
The director has responded by saying he doesn’t remember the details and stated that there is a misperception that the director is in control of everything that happens on the set of a movie filming, but sometimes things just happen. The film production company has stated that it was just a misunderstanding.
Below are some comments from netizens.
Nate Pann
“What did they do to Kim HyeJa. They say they’re for human rights with their mouths but what is this that they are doing to an actress?”
Nate Pann
“This is indeed sexual harassment.”
Nate Pann
“That is sexual harassment. He needs to be arrested.”
Nate Pann
“Filthy movie industry.”
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It was ten years ago, she was in her late 60s and it's friggin' Won Bin playing her Oedipal son. Why is this coming out now?
For those who don't know, Bong Joon Ho's latest film is a scathing critique of the Korean class structure and the wealthy elite. He struggled to find funding for the film and it was a long road to get it made. I'm sure the corrupt assholes that run major media and are tied to all the shady practices going on in the country aren't very fond of him right now and the attention he is getting for this movie. I wouldn't put it past them to try and bury his career, just like they tried to bury the Gyeonggi governor, Lee Myung Jae, who was recently cleared of all the worthless charges against him because he's the most outspoken person in the country when it comes to confronting political corruption and Korean family-run enterprises that act above the law.