In connection with the ruckus caused by her "comfort women-themed nude" video and photos, actress Lee Seung-yeon has officially apologized and announced a suspension of her nude video project.
Lee and Netian Entertainment, the producer of her video and photo collection, held a press conference 10:00 a.m. Monday in front of Netian's corporate headquarters in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and said, "It was a project that started with good intentions, but since we rushed things in the production process, we could not convey those original intentions, and for that, we sincerly apologize. We are suspending completely the 'comfort women' video project."
Pak Ji-woo, the president of Netian Entertainment, said, "Since I planned everything, please do not ask Lee Seung-yeon or the rest of the production staff to take responsibility. I will visit the 'comfort women' victims personally and apologize."
He also said, "I hope that through this opportunity, society's interest in the 'comfort women' victims will continue." As the man with the final responsibility for the project, Pak had his head shaved following the press conference as a way of officially apologizing.
In this way, the controversy that soon spread following Lee's Feb. 12 press conference announcing her "comfort women" project has ended, at least for now. Netian had produced 1 hour and 30 minutes of video footage, shot on the Pacific island of Palau, and 1,500 to 2,000 photos taken from the film. With Lee and Netian announcing their intention to quit the project, outrage from civic groups and the "comfort women" victims themselves is simmering down.
The Korean Council for Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan and Korean Womenlink said Monday, "We think its fortunate that the project, which received scorn from all citizens, has been abandoned, even if they did so just now. But since the 'comfort women' victims have yet to receive an official apology, we will go ahead as planned with a demonstration in front of Netian headquarters at 12:00 noon Monday."
Jeong Dae-hyeop, head of the Korean Council for Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, said that the demonstrations will continue until both Lee Seung-yeon and Netian directly apologize.
