Ko Young-wook [Yonhap]
Ko Young-wook [Yonhap]

Ko Young-wook, a former member of the group Rula who served prison time for sex crimes against minors and was subsequently banned from the entertainment industry, has posted a series of messages on social media that appear to target comedians Yoo Jae-suk and Shin Dong-yup.

On Sunday, Ko shared a screenshot from the MBC variety program "Nol-myeon Mwohani?" on his social media account. The clip showed Yoo saying, "Please let us all become happily wealthy."

Ko wrote alongside the post: "Does he love being on TV this much? How much richer does he need to be to feel satisfied? There's no end to his greed." While Ko did not mention Yoo by name, online commenters widely interpreted the remarks as directed at him.

On Saturday, Ko posted a screenshot from KBS2's "Immortal Songs" and wrote that he was "quite surprised" to find the show was still on the air while channel-surfing.

He then added, "Should I call him a master craftsman? It's impressive how he keeps up the stamina — drinking and doing broadcasts at the same time," before writing, "Then again, watching 'Animal Farm'" — an SBS program — "his eyes always look glazed over."

Both "Immortal Songs" and "Animal Farm" are hosted by Shin Dong-yup, making the posts an unmistakable dig at him.

Online commenters have suggested Ko may be lashing out at the two entertainers out of resentment, given that his sex crime conviction has effectively shut him out of broadcasting.

Ko had already drawn attention after raising the possibility of working as an adult film actor in Japan. He wrote: "Since it seems like it will be hard to find work in Korea, I think I saw somewhere that there's a shortage of male adult film actors in Japan — if it's legally permissible."

Ko debuted as a member of Rula in 1994. He was indicted on charges of raping and sexually assaulting three minors between 2010 and 2012, and was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. He was also ordered to have his personal information disclosed for five years and to wear an electronic ankle bracelet for three years.


paq@heraldcorp.com