Investigations for Yoochun’s sexual assault cases are still ongoing, and recently, 1 of the alleged victims stepped up to reveal her story on Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC)’s “PD Notebook”.
“PD Notebook” is an investigative TV show broadcasted from a journalistic standpoint. The notorious programme, which was 1st aired in 1990, has received approval from South Korean audience for being open and unbiased about several sensitive issues. Their latest episode, shown on TV on Tuesday (28th June), talked about Yoochun’s sexual assault case and also sought clarification from the victims.
The victim’s statement is extremely graphic, as she explains how Yoochun victimised and striped her of her dignity despite constant pleas and protests.
Nicknamed “A”, the victim agreed to tell her story under anonymity. She told interviewers that Yoochun sexually assaulted her although she was having her period, and described a dark time in her life when she wanted to take her own life, and explained how she had to quit her job despite desperately needing the money.
Here’s the full account:
“I felt so embarrassed, like I was just something for him to dump everything into. I felt like he just played me. He didn’t even tell me that he was sorry before he left.
When you turn music on there, the volume fills up the entire room. He likes to sing and turn up club music really loudly. It wasn’t that long since I started working there so I wasn’t sure how to follow along until he grabbed my waist while smoking a cigarette and started dancing with me. He then kept asking me how much money I needed and why I was there. Then he said, ‘Hey, I can’t hear you. Let’s go talk in the bathroom.’ I didn’t suspect anything and followed him in.
He then asked me how much money I needed so I told him that I just wanted to make as much as I needed before quitting. It was pissing me off that he kept trying to buy me with money and kept talking about money this, money that. That was all he talked about. He then grabbed my face and kissed me before breaking it off and saying, ‘What the, you have no emotion in your kiss, no emotion.’
I was on my period then. He lifted up my skirt while kissing me so I told him to stop. I remember clearly telling him to stop. ‘Stop, I’m on my period.’ Then he said, ‘But I think I need to check if you and I are a good match.’ I told him I didn’t want to again and tried to leave. While I quickly looked at the mirror, he was already taking his pants off and then he grabbed me and sat me down. I was so shocked and kept telling him no, that I wouldn’t do it, until he lifted me up and turned me around.
I cried. I was so shocked. He said, ‘It’s okay, we’re going to date. We’re going to be dating now. You can give this to oppa just once today, right?’ So I didn’t reply to anything he said.
As a woman, why would anyone want to do it in the bathroom where everyone could hear you? While on your period too, even I wouldn’t allow that with any boyfriend. I was so embarrassed by the fact that we did it in that small bathroom and then so scared that someone would find out.
I needed a lot of money at the time for tuition. I knew that the room salon wouldn’t prostitute me and it was a way to make a lot of money in a short time. I’ve never been offered to go to a ‘second tier’ meeting and even the room salon tells us not to do it because they don’t want to be linked to scandalous activities. At the time, I wrote in my diary, ‘My friends. If I die, attack Yoochun. Don’t hate me.’ I had to earn money and go to work, but whenever I went into that room, I had such a hard time and thought I would go crazy, so in the end, I quit.
I think that Park Yoochun treated me as something less of a human. If he truly loved a woman, would a man want to do it in a bathroom with her like that? He knew that I was working there so I wouldn’t be able to report him and that no one would believe me. The bathroom also doesn’t have a CCTV so I don’t think he thought I would sue him. He probably thought that since he’s a top star, I wouldn’t regret doing it with him but I can’t forgive him for looking down on me like that just because I needed money and had no parents. He disregarded me because I worked there. I cannot forgive him.”
She’s not the only one who stepped up, as another victim related her side of the story:
“Park Yoochun-ssi had club music on and was dancing with his friends. It was really noisy and I tried to keep up with them but then Park Yoochun told me that he had something he wanted to say to me and went into the bathroom so I followed him. He then put his hand inside my underwear and I tried to stop him because I was so shocked but he was already drunk at the time and acted as if I wanted this, telling me, ‘You like me though’.”
Contrary to earlier reports which stated that the 1st sexual assault victim demanded for and was paid a settlement fee, the boyfriend rubbished the claims.
He said:
“Firstly, there was no such thing as a settlement at all. What actually happened was that we dropped the charge because we wanted to quietly conclude this. There were many rumors saying we received money, but we had not received a single penny. Since the reports went out, we’d never met up with a rep from his side. We never tried to contact him or call him.
We really had not wanted reports to go out. This was because if the situation blew up, then the identities would also be revealed for sure. After the article went out, we changed our minds. Because things were getting bigger, we had no choice but to want to fold this as quickly as possible, which was the biggest reason for our dropping the charge. Honestly, if (Yoochun’s side) keeps pushing forward saying that (the first accusation) was a false one, he’ll be the one to see the damage.”
In related news, more information has been shed on “10 Cafe”, the adult entertainment bar which was frequented by Yoochun and where the sexual assault allegedly happened.
Apparently, the establishment was a regular hangout spot for many celebrities and it is located at Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu. The cost of alcohol is extremely exorbitant, with the place charging 500,000 Won (around RM1.8k) to 1 million Won (around RM3.5k) per person.
Park Young Jin, a panelist of “PD Notebook” also explained that because of the high prices, people who could afford to visit the place are high-profile financial officials, politicians, businessmen, or celebrities. Also, as the place is a common haunt for public figures, each room has their own toilet so that they can have their privacy and also to avoid being seen. However, the restrooms are very “compact”, with only a sink and urinal.
Yoochun will also be summoned to the police station today (Thursday, 30th June) at 5:30pm to aid investigations. He was originally supposed to appear before authorities yesterday (Wednesday, 29th June) but his side faxed a request asking for a postponement due to military duties.
He will be brought in as the assailant of the victims and police will look into the JYJ singer’s countersuit against his accusers for false charges and blackmail. A sample of Yoochun’s oral cavity will also be collected to match with the DNA obtained from the undergarment of the 1st victim.
