Lee Won, a participant on South Korea's first lesbian dating show 'ToGetHer,' has admitted to allegations of broadcasting explicit content over the past three years.
On the 29th, Lee Won shared a handwritten statement on her social media account. She confessed, "From 2016 to 2018 for two years, from November 2021 to March 2022 for about four months, and from February to September 2024 for about seven months, I have been broadcasting personal content for a total of three years." She also claimed, "During my broadcasting activities, I also went on a total of six dinner dates, all of which were wholesome and without any physical intimacy."
Previously, rumors had spread online about Lee Won conducting explicit content broadcasts. In response, Lee Won stated, "Regardless of my personal circumstances, I apologize sincerely for participating in the program without disclosing this past to the production team beforehand, leading to disappointment and hurt for many." She expressed her remorse.
Some had doubted Lee Won's sexual orientation due to the nature of the content she broadcasted, which was primarily viewed by male audiences.
Lee Won affirmed, "I am a woman who loves women. I first became aware of my sexual orientation in middle school and had a serious relationship with a woman for two years and six months." She added, "There were times I dated both men and women, not wanting to deny myself. One man, who helped manage my broadcasts, threatened to expose my sexual orientation to friends and family, and resorted to threats of violence, confinement, hacking, and even murder when I wanted to break up. Faced with such difficulty, I decided to apply for the program, preferring to come out on my own terms rather than being outed by someone else."
Lee Won also stated, "It's undeniable that I engaged in inappropriate broadcasting and met with men before filming. I now have a different job and thought all of this was behind me, which is why I joined the program. I deeply regret bringing any negative attention to 'ToGetHer' and hurting my fellow cast members." She apologized again.
Finally, "I am truly heartbroken that my actions might contribute to negative stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community. This entire situation stems from my selfishness and inappropriate past. All LGBTQ+ individuals, 'ToGetHer' staff, and viewers are victims here. The responsibility is mine alone," she concluded, expressing her remorse once more.
'ToGetHer' is the lesbian version created by the production team behind South Korea's first gay dating show series 'His Man', with casting completed last November and filming wrapped up.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)