Kim Junsu, a former member of TVXQ and JYJ, spoke about being blackmailed and robbed of around KRW 8 billion by an Internet broadcaster (BJ).
On November 15, Kim addressed the issue via a message on the fan platform, stating, “I apologize for shocking you with such sudden news. I endured this torment for five years, but I couldn’t take it anymore. This decision was not easy, but I concluded that the severity of the crime left no other choice. The individual was arrested and is currently under judicial supervision for detention.”
Kim added, “I’m confident because I haven’t done anything wrong. This incident began five years ago and since then I have been cautious about meeting people outside of work settings, recognizing the potential for ulterior motives. I vowed then not to attend any personal meetings and have kept that promise ever since.
He expressed mixed feelings, stating, “In a way I’m grateful to that person [the female BJ]because it strengthened my resolve to avoid such situations altogether. The police themselves said that it is difficult to believe that a person like her could exist openly in society. Knowing that there are more than six more victims made it impossible for me to remain silent any longer. I’m determined to get this done.”
Kim’s agency, Palm Tree Island, released an official statement in support of her, underscoring this “Kim Junsu is unequivocally a victim. After confirming that multiple people had been subjected to extortion and threats by A, Kim decided to take legal action to prevent further harm.
Previously, on November 13, the North Gyeonggi Police Agency submitted an arrest warrant request for BJ A on charges of blackmail under the Law on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. A is accused of extorting KRW 8.4 billion from Kim Junsu in 101 separate cases between September 2020 and last month.
This revelation has attracted a lot of attention, highlighting the challenges celebrities face in protecting themselves from exploitation and abuse.