Lee Mijoo, a former Lovelyz past sexual harassment controversy drew attention once again after her "borderline" remark in "Sixth Sense." In line with the criticism she's receiving, her agency released its official statement.
Lee Mijoo Faces Controversies Over Sexual Harassment, Borderline Remark
On April 28, amid controversy among netizens over her borderline remark, Lee Mijoo's controversial sexual harassment remarks in the past also drew renewed attention from internet users.
In particular, this issue started when the female star made a harmless joke about menstruation in the opening of tvN's entertainment show "Sixth Sense Season 3" which aired on April 22, saying:
"I haven’t been on my period in a while. I think it's a side effect of having COVID-19, but I think I missed it (period) for two months.
So I ended up asking (Jae Suk) if he remembered me having my period every month."
ALSO READ: Female Celebrities Who Are Accused of Sexualizing/Sexual Harassment to Males
At that time, Yoo Jae Suk, a veteran comedian and one of the most respected personalities in Korea lightly expressed his discomfort and said:
"It's ridiculous from the opening. Please don't talk about that because it's a broadcast."
Although it was supposed to be a friendly joke between the cast, there was a heated debate over Lee Mijoo's alleged borderline remarks. Netizens argued that it was a statement that crossed the line and the defense that it was just a concept to make the broadcast fun was unacceptable.
Following this, internet users started to bring up that this is not the first time Mijoo acted this way.
Netizens recalled how in 2020, the YouTube channel "THE K-POP" produced a web entertainment show "Mijoo Pickchu" featuring Mijoo as the host.
At that time, the "Obliviate" singer interviewed a male university student and started talking about his girlfriend.
It was at that time when the star started making inappropriate jokes such as asking:
"How far did you go with your girlfriend?"
When the student replied that it's been about 200 days, Mijoo teased him by saying that he absolutely "did it" with his girlfriend.
When the male student clarified that they have only kissed so far, Mijoo crossed the line by asking, "Are you a man?" and moved her eyes to his lower body part while sitting.
Later on, netizens claimed that Mijoo obviously sexually harassed the male student, seeing how uncomfortable he is at that time.
In response, Mijoo and the production team apologized and turn the video into private.
Antenna To Take Legal Action Against Malicious Commenters Criticizing Mijoo
As the level of criticism over Lee Mijoo's remarks seemed to cross the line as well, Antenna, the agency of the idol entertainer expressed its intention to take legal action.
Antenna label stated:
"We will respond legally and strongly to malicious slander, sexual harassment, and false information distributed on the Internet for our artists."
We will continue to take all possible legal measures without agreement on additional damage cases for our artists in the future."
READ MORE: Ex-Lovelyz Mijoo Candidly Responds to Plastic Surgery Rumor, 'Flirtatious' Concept as an Entertainer
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Written by Eunice Dawson
