K-pop Star Bang Ye-dam Embroiled in Controversy Over Fake Sexual Activity Video

K-pop singer Bang Ye-dam finds himself at the center of a firestorm after a video posted by his close friend, actor Lee Seo-han, sparked outrage among fans and netizens.

The controversial footage, shared on Lee's Instagram Stories on May 2, 2024, showed a man and a woman lying together on a sofa, allegedly engaging in sexual activity. Suspicions quickly arose that the location was Bang Ye-dam's studio and that the video may have been filmed illegally without consent.

Backlash grew, Lee Seo-han issued an initial apology on May 2, stating, "The video posted yesterday was a joke between male friends. I apologize to Bang Ye-dam and his fans for the fact that the video was filmed in Bang Ye-dam's studio. Please do not misunderstand or make unnecessary speculations about the video. "He further apologized for causing concern to those who viewed the footage and promised to be more careful in the future.

However, the controversy continued to escalate, prompting Lee Seo-han to release a more thorough explanation on May 3. He revealed that the video was recorded during a gathering with friends at Bang Ye-dam's studio, a place they frequently visited to socialize, listen to music, and watch movies. Lee claimed that after Bang Ye-dam and another friend, who was intoxicated, had left the studio, he posted the staged video on his private account, insisting that it was not illegal footage.

In his second apology, Lee Seo-han expressed remorse for his actions, stating, "As someone who dreamt of becoming an actor, I would like to sincerely apologize for my immaturity which stirred up this controversy. I express my apologies toward all those who felt discomfort because of the video, and to my fans who cherish me, and I will make sure to act with caution from now on."

Bang Ye-dam, who made his official debut as a member of the group Treasure in 2020 and has been working as a soloist since leaving the team in November 2022, also issued a brief statement on May 3, saying,"I'm really sorry for causing concern. His agency has not taken a particular stance on the incident, citing that the controversy began as a result of the actions of others.

Known for his sincerity in music and close friendship with Lee Chan-hyuk of Akmu, Bang Ye-dam recently expanded his musical competence by releasing a duet with Winter of the group Espa last month. The controversy unfolding, all eyes are on Bang Ye-dam to see how he will steer clear of this scandal that has sparked online outrage and raised questions about the responsible use of social media by celebrities and their associates. The incident serves as a harsh wake-up call of the scrutiny public figures face and the potential consequences of ill-advised actions in the digital age.

Key Takeaways

• K-pop singer Bang Ye-dam embroiled in controversy over explicit video.
• Video posted by actor Lee Seo-han on Instagram sparks outrage among fans.
• Lee Seo-han apologizes, claiming video was staged and not illegal footage.
• Bang Ye-dam issues brief apology, agency remains neutral on incident.
• Controversy highlights scrutiny of public figures' social media use.