South Korean DJ Hwang So-hee aka DJ SODA (황소희)’s recent performance in Japan unfortunately ended on a sour note when fans unexpectedly reached out and groped her chest. The violating act understandably left her traumatised.
But, DJ Soda recently revealed that she will not be letting the incident slide, especially after netizens reasoned it was due to her dressing and claimed she was attention seeking. The DJ also explained why she was publicising the issue, and added that she would be taking legal action.
Yesterday (21st August), the 35-year-old uploaded a joint statement released by her, Eight Bulls Corporation and TryHard Japan Co., Ltd. The statement emphasized that the actions in the incident constituted sexual harassment and is a sexual crime.
“We are committed to identifying the perpetrators of this criminal act and will take both civil and criminal legal actions, including seeking damages and filing criminal charges,” the statement read. It added that as DJ Soda needed to continue her international activities, further actions would be handled by TryHard Japan Co., Ltd.
However, Soda had more to add to the statement. On her personal Instagram account, the DJ called out those who had been criticising her, and her dressing. “The mindset that ‘wearing revealing clothes is a trigger for sexual violence’ is a very biased and androcentric view,” she wrote scathingly, likening such thinking to victim blaming.
The popular DJ also shared other instances where she had been sexually harassed and assaulted but ultimately stayed quiet about it. DJ Soda alleged she had been sexually assaulted at the age of 6 by a robber, but kept it to herself to protect her parents.
She claims she was also urged to hold her tongue after she was sexually harassed by an unknown man in the VIP section during the 2018 Spectrum Festival in Korea. “(A) photographer who I knew said, “You earn well, (and) the #MeToo movement is strong these days, if you (report it), it will be difficult for us to earn a living.”,” she recounted. As such, she was left suffering in silence.
“When I was sexually harassed by fellow overseas DJ, I never received (an) apology and only heard that it was a joke. And (when) my former company was negotiating with a brand for an advertising model, they told me that (speaking about it) will deteriorate my image and asked me to take down the post about it,” Soda added.
It frustrated her that many believed she was only speaking out for the attention. “I was sexually harassed and molested several times throughout my life, and I thought I had to hide it and live as if nothing had happened. But now I don’t want to avoid or hide anymore. If I ignore this, someone else will inevitably become a victim,” she wrote.
DJ Soda added that she had been initially afraid to publicise the issue, as she felt it could obstruct her future activities in Japan. However, as this was the first time someone had “deliberately put their hands (on her) chest while performing“, she felt the need to highlight it. “If (a) similar incident happened in other countries, I would have reacted the same way,” she said.
DJ Soda ended her message by saying she hoped it would be of some help to other victims. “If a person like me speaks up a little in this way, wouldn’t society’s perception change a little bit someday?” she queried.
Netizens have flocked to her comments to reassure the DJ that they empathise and support her situation. Several have also praised her for her courage and willingness to protect others. Our hearts go out to DJ Soda as she continues the fight. We sincerely hope justice will be served.
Read her full account here:
Source: Instagram
