'Idol School Voting Manipulation' CP Sentenced to Prison Again in 2nd Trial... Production Director Receives Suspended Sentence

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Mnet chief producer (CP) who was indicted for manipulating viewer votes on the 2017 audition program 'Idol School' was sentenced to prison in the appeal trial, although the sentence was slightly reduced compared to the first trial.

On the afternoon of the 26th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeal Division 8-1 (Presiding Judges Kim Yeyeong, Jang Seonghak, Jang Yunseon) sentenced Kim, the chief producer (CP) indicted on charges including obstruction of business, to 8 months in prison. Some charges were acquitted, resulting in a slightly reduced sentence compared to the 1-year imprisonment in the first trial.

The court stated, "It caused financial loss and mental damage to viewers who participated in paid voting," and "It also inflicted serious wounds on the contestants aspiring to become idols."

Former Mnet Business Director A, who was indicted together, received a sentence of 4 months imprisonment with a 1-year probation, increasing his sentence. The court ruled, "As the production director, he received reports from Kim CP and set the overall direction, and it was difficult for Kim CP to make decisions alone." In the first trial, A was judged to be merely an accomplice by aiding and was sentenced to a fine of 10 million won.

From July to September 2017, when 'Idol School' aired, Kim CP was tried on charges of manipulating paid viewer votes (obstruction of business). A, Kim CP's superior and production director (acting head of the division) at the time, was also indicted for partially conspiring in the vote manipulation.

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