The Real Issue of 'Workplace Sexual Harassment' in the Movie 'Bombshell'... 'Victimhood' and 'Secondary Victimization' [Kim Ga-yeon's Twisted Perspective]

Movie 'Bombshell' on Sexual Harassment at Fox News Released on the 8th
From Forced Molestation by Workplace Power to Criticism of Secondary Victimization... Positive Audience Reviews Continue
142,055 Viewers as of the 20th... Over 60% Female Audience
Experts: "Secondary Victim-Blaming Comments Show Lack of Understanding of Sexual Harassment Cases Involving Power"

Movie still image/Photo by Naver Movie

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] [Editor's Note] ※ This article contains slight spoilers including scene descriptions and dialogues.

As workplace sexual harassment through abuse of power has recently emerged as a social issue, the film "Bombshell," which deals with sexual violence incidents occurring in the workplace, is gaining attention. Bombshell is a true story film depicting the sexual harassment allegations within the U.S. conservative media outlet Fox News in 2016, which sparked the #MeToo movement.

Given its focus on sexual violence, many women have been visiting theaters to watch the film. According to CGV's gender-based ticket reservation distribution on the 20th, more than 60% of the audience were women. Viewers praised the film for addressing a timely topic and voluntarily participated in "support screenings," expressing solidarity with the victims and support for the film.

The film sharply critiques secondary victimization experienced by workplace sexual violence victims by focusing not on the initial accuser Gretchen Carlson (played by Nicole Kidman), but on the main anchor at the time, Megyn Kelly (played by Charlize Theron), and the fictional character Kayla Pospisil (played by Margot Robbie).

It also criticizes the societal atmosphere that demands "victim-like" behavior from sexual violence victims through lines such as "Which sexual harassment victim sends smiley emoticons?", "They were after money," and "They stayed silent for years but accuse after being fired." The term "victim-like" refers to the prejudice that "a victim should behave in a certain way."

Movie Main Poster / Photo by Naver Movie

Such criticism stems from a failure to properly understand that the sexual violence was committed through abuse of power.

The core issue of workplace sexual crimes lies in the fact that victims are employees working in the same space as the perpetrators. This directly affects their careers and livelihoods. There is also considerable concern that victims who report sexual violence may face unfair personnel actions such as dismissal or department transfers.

This awareness is reflected in Kelly's lines in the film, such as "Try calling the person who pays your salary a pervert," and "Are women fools? Someone took your clothes off, and now you’re being told to prove it by walking around naked."

In particular, the authority and reputation of the male perpetrators, expressed in lines like "He wouldn't do that," or "I worked with him before and nothing happened," also act as secondary victimization. The problem is that such sexual harassment and assault occur secretly in separate locations.

Bombshell contrasts these scenes to overturn the logic of secondary victimization. In the film, Roger does not explicitly say "I will promote you in exchange for sex," but implies, "If you show loyalty, you will get what you want. How you show loyalty is up to you." This implies sexual exploitation and degradation.

Movie still image / Photo by Naver Movie

Experts analyze that the root cause of secondary victimization remarks directed at victims is a lack of understanding of the core of sexual violence cases involving abuse of power.

Seo Seung-hee, director of the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "'Why did you speak out so late?', 'How did you maintain your job despite such harm?', 'How could you communicate with the perpetrator?'?these questions have long been used to attack sexual assault victims," adding, "They are secondary victimization remarks that fail to understand the core of sexual violence cases involving abuse of power."

She analyzed that the reason victims delay reporting is due to various pressures stemming from abuse of power. Seo emphasized, "The reason it is called sexual violence through abuse of power is because power was the core of these cases. Because that power exists, it inevitably takes a long time for victims to muster the courage and resolve to disclose their experiences."

She continued, "Moreover, when the perpetrator holds a higher rank and greater social influence in performing official duties, how could victims explicitly express discomfort immediately after the incident?"

She added, "Statements that lack understanding of situations where victims had to respond kindly and without relational conflict despite facing potential disadvantages such as dismissal at work," and said, "There are still many women experiencing sexual violence through abuse of power. These women can easily anticipate that if they try to report or resolve the issue, they will face countless attacks, criticism, and stigmatization. This contributes to creating an environment where it is even harder to speak out about the harm."

Meanwhile, Bombshell was released in theaters on the 8th. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated box office system as of 10 a.m. on the 20th, Bombshell attracted 140,255 viewers on its 13th day since release. At the 92nd Academy Awards held in February at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, it was nominated in three categories and won the Makeup and Hairstyling award.

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