"Extreme Choice? Showhane" vs "Stop Leaving Malicious Comments" Controversy Over Social Banishment of School Violence Perpetrators

Netizens "Apology needed for school violence perpetrator controversy, but malicious comments saying 'they deserve to die' go too far"

Chef Lee Won-il (left) and fianc?e PD Kim Yoo-jin (right). Photo by MBC Variety Show "If You’re Envious, You Lose" capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] "What do you mean extreme choice...", "Excessive malicious comments should be refrained from."

When news broke that Kim Yujin PD, suspected of being a school violence (hakpok) perpetrator, attempted an extreme choice on the 4th, a heated debate erupted among netizens. Some pointed out that his extreme choice turns the victim of school violence into the perpetrator, while others argued that continuously leaving malicious comments on Kim PD, effectively causing a 'social execution,' is a form of violence. Experts warned that third-party involvement such as by netizens could obscure the essence of the issue.

Netizen A raised suspicions of school violence by Kim on an online community on the 21st of last month. Upon the emergence of allegations of school violence perpetration, Kim's side posted a handwritten apology letter. However, the content of the apology was criticized as inappropriate. Subsequently, A revealed that there was no contact made to the victim themselves, sparking controversy over the sincerity of the apology.

After posting a second apology letter, Kim, as the controversy did not subside, posted a message expressing grievance on his social network service (SNS) in the early hours of the 4th and then attempted an extreme choice. Kim was moved to the intensive care unit immediately after being found and is currently reported to be recovering in a general ward.

As news spread that Kim Yujin PD, the fianc?e of Chef Lee Wonil, who was accused of school violence, attempted an extreme act, heated debates have erupted among netizens. Photo by Social Network Service (SNS) comments capture

Some netizens criticized Kim's choice as irresponsible.

An online community post titled "No Sympathy Needed for Kim Yujin PD's Extreme Choice Amid School Violence Controversy" was uploaded.

Comments on the post included "A strange phenomenon where someone believes they are the victim at some point despite their own wrongdoing," "Being selfish by hurting victims and then making an extreme choice," "Victims have suffered for years because of that extreme attempt," "Someone who cannot take responsibility for their own mistakes," "If you hurt others, it will come back to you," and "Choosing death over apology must have been easier."

There were also mocking reactions to Kim's extreme choice. Some netizens commented, "Found breathing at home," "Overreacting about sleeping after taking sleeping pills," "People who really intend to leave the world don't post on SNS," "Seems like there was no intention to die, so stop the show," and "Seems like a tantrum because things didn't go their way, not fooled."

On the other hand, other netizens agreed that Kim should properly apologize to A but insisted that excessive criticism should be restrained.

Netizens pointed out that "Saying someone deserves it after making an extreme choice was harsh," "How many people must leave the world because of malicious comments before things change," "Malicious commenters are no different from school violence perpetrators," "Hope he recovers well, apologizes, and lives a life of atonement," "It's unfortunate; there must have been better solutions than extreme actions," and "Hope they don't push too hard and let the parties involved resolve it themselves," emphasizing that excessive malicious comments should be avoided.

Photo by Kim Yujin PD, older sister's Instagram post

◆Third-party involvement, not by the 'school violence' parties... can obscure the essence of the problem

Experts pointed out that third-party involvement such as by netizens in this controversy can obscure the essence of the issue.

Professor Kwak Geum-ju of the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University said, "The extreme choice by the person accused as the perpetrator is due to excessive malicious comments by netizens, not the victim," adding, "This can cause secondary damage such as the victim feeling guilty for exposing the victimization."

She continued, "If a third party intervenes in issues that can be resolved between the victim and perpetrator, the perpetrator can also become a victim, potentially distorting the fundamental problem of school violence."

She further advised, "School violence victims suffer great wounds and pain that can ruin their entire lives. Even if it is a past event, the perpetrator should recognize the pain felt by the victim, feel responsible, and continuously apologize to resolve the issue."

Meanwhile, Kim's family announced their intention to take legal action against false information and others.

A netizen claiming to be Kim PD's older sister posted a statement on her SNS on the 4th, saying, "Our family wants to clarify the truth against exaggerated false information, lies, and excessive criticism," and "We have judged that indiscriminate defamation has reached an intolerable level and will proceed with civil and criminal legal action."

She claimed, "We overlooked and passed it off thinking 'Kim PD can handle it alone,' but since the 30th of last month, we have been harassed by threatening messages from a domestic acquaintance who claims the victim ordered it, and received 40 phone calls."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.