• List

Hwasa, a member of the group MAMAMOO, one of the most prominent names in the Korean music scene, recently became the subject of a criminal complaint. The allegation is public indecency. A parents’ group filed the complaint, claiming that Hwasa’s provocative choreography during a university festival performance caused sexual embarrassment among the public.

The Student and Parents Human Rights Protection Coalition took issue with Hwasa’s performance at Sungkyunkwan University, which was aired on the tvN entertainment program Dancing Queens on the Road on the 12th of last month. The group pointed to acts such as Hwasa licking her finger with her tongue and then placing it on a specific part of her body.

The group claimed, “Hwasa’s conduct was sufficient to evoke the impression of perverse sexual activity and cause sexual embarrassment and disgust among the public who witnessed it.” It also argued, “Because the act did not fit the context of the choreography, it cannot be interpreted as an artistic performance.”

(Omitted)

Attorney Chon Hyeong Hwan of YK Law Firm said, “In lower court precedents, punishment has mainly been imposed in cases involving acts such as exposing one’s genitals or masturbation.”

He added, “In Hwasa’s case, the act occurred only for a brief moment, and the performance at the university festival was directed at adults.” He further explained, “Considering that it was not excessive compared with the level of performances by other singers, it cannot be regarded as an obscene act under the crime of public indecency.”

Source: Chosun Biz, Reporter Hong In-seok, “What Is the ‘Public Indecency’ Charge Filed Against Hwasa? From Couch to a Chief Prosecutor, Cases Have Led to Punishment,” July 15, 2023.
Full article available at the original URL.