Following the videos surfacing, the betrayal deepened. Kim Si-won did not deny his involvement, but he publicly disputed Baek's version of events, telling a media outlet that the couple had watched the video together and "enjoyed it". For Baek, this intimate moment of her life had become a tool for humiliation and control, weaponized by the very person she had trusted to build her career.
| Type | Person | Status | Notes | |------|--------|--------|-------| | Confirmed | Taeyeon | Ended 2016 | Both SM artists | | Rumor | Jennie | Unconfirmed | No evidence | | On-screen | Moon Ga-young | Unreleased film | “Dear Archimedes” | | On-screen | Kim Sae-ron | Cancelled drama | “The Moon of Seoul” | | Fan speculation | Krystal | No romantic link | Close colleagues |
The scandal forced a 24-year-old Baek Ji Young into the center of a national scandal. In traditional South Korean society, such an event, especially when coupled with the unauthorized release of private content, caused severe backlash.
have shared various romantic storylines, ranging from high-profile idol "scandals" to quiet, long-term marriages. High-Profile Idol Romances korean singer baek ji young sextape
: Investigations revealed that the encounter had been recorded secretly by Kim without Baek’s knowledge or consent. The Motive
Baek Yerin (formerly of 15&) built her solo career on the ashes of a very public, very real romantic storyline.
The criminal case against the perpetrator had a long and complex arc. Kim immediately fled to the United States after the leak. For years, he lived there while being wanted in South Korea on charges of defamation and violating the Basic Law on Electronic Communications. His freedom finally came to an end in February 2008, when he was arrested in Los Angeles' Koreatown for having sex with a minor under the age of 18. Kim was charged with five counts of statutory rape and, while bail was initially set at $100,000, it was eventually denied. Following this, he was extradited to South Korea in October 2008 to face trial for his crimes against Baek Ji-young. Significantly, the "Baek Ji-young video" case became a catalyst for the first-ever South Korea-U.S. joint investigation into internet-based crime, serving as a rare and valuable precedent for international cooperation in the digital age. Following the videos surfacing, the betrayal deepened
[1] Information on the 2000 Baek Ji-young scandal and her subsequent career. Share public link
While the immediate public reaction was intense, the legal proceedings revealed a stark disparity in consequences. Kim was prosecuted for filming the intimate encounter without consent. However, the sentencing was viewed by many as lenient; he received a suspended prison sentence, allowing him to avoid significant jail time.
Television networks and radio stations pulled her music and banned her from appearing on broadcasts. | Type | Person | Status | Notes
The scandal occurred during a period when South Korea was rapidly becoming one of the most "wired" nations, yet remained deeply rooted in conservative Confucian values that heavily stigmatized premarital sex, especially for women. Public Ostracization:
This comeback culminated in 2008 with the release of her most iconic song, "Like Being Hit by a Bullet" (""). The lyrics vividly describe the feeling of devastation after a breakup. It was a career-defining song that showcased her incredible vocal power and emotional depth, becoming a massive hit and solidifying her status as a ballad queen.
At the height of her burgeoning career, Baek Ji-young was a victim of a carefully orchestrated betrayal. The perpetrator was her former manager and producer, Kim Si-won (a pseudonym used in media reports), who held a position of trust in both her professional and personal life. The damage was done long before the public became aware of it. In December 1998, Kim videotaped a sexual encounter with Baek without her knowledge or consent.
As of early 2026, he is rumored to be dating cheerleader Ahn Ji-hyun
The Baek Ji-young incident serves as a benchmark for how South Korean society views digital sex crimes and female celebrity scandals. Over the decades, public perception shifted from victim-blaming toward structural condemnation of non-consensual pornography (locally referred to as molka ).