Former DIA member Somyi finds herself embroiled in controversy as she is sentenced to a year and six months in prison by the Seoul Central District Court.
The charges against her revolve around allegations of falsely accusing her agency's CEO of sexual assault.
oh my god Somyi 😭 last time i heard of her was when she did livestreams and i saw a more sfw one on her tiktok where she played DIA songs and sounded upset with her BJ work.
— 😷⁽⁺⁺⁾⁷ (@snowy_chimmy) March 21, 2024
and now sentenced to prison bc her hugging a man before he SA'd her ""disproves"" the ass4ult?!?!?? https://t.co/VeeevwEkBm
However, the ruling has sparked intense debate within the K-Pop community, with many questioning the fairness of the verdict.
Debate Ignites: Victimhood and Behavior
The court's decision to penalize Somyi has reignited discussions surrounding the expectations placed on victims of sexual assault.
Shocking CCTV Footage From DIA Somyi's Sexual Assault Accusations Made Publichttps://t.co/WpemQX9oic
— Koreaboo (@Koreaboo) March 24, 2024
Critics argue that the ruling reflects a bias towards a certain perception of a "perfect victim," citing Somyi's post-assault behavior as a factor in her sentencing.
This has prompted a broader conversation about the treatment of sexual assault survivors within the justice system.
Comparative Outrage: Burning Sun Scandal
Amidst the furor over Somyi's sentencing, comparisons have been drawn to the infamous Burning Sun scandal, particularly the case of former K-Pop idol Seungri.
recap of the whole Seungri, JJY, Burning Sun,.. scandal... just in case that you are as confused as i was #SeungriGoingToJail pic.twitter.com/aHD778tPvS
— isa | 6‘3 with heels on (@isbel623) March 14, 2019
Despite facing serious charges related to prostitution, embezzlement, and more, Seungri received a comparable prison term to Somyi.
It's ridiculous that she's getting the exact same amount of jail time that freaking Seungri got - Reddit user
This dissonance has fueled accusations of misogyny and highlighted discrepancies in the handling of high-profile cases within the South Korean justice system.
Demand for Change: Accountability and Justice
As Somyi begins her prison sentence, calls for reform echo throughout the K-Pop community and beyond.
Supporters of Somyi and advocates for victims' rights demand a reevaluation of the justice system's approach to sexual assault cases and greater accountability for those involved in the Burning Sun scandal.
holy shit?!
meanwhile some of the burning sun participants got off with probation and a slap on the wrist - Reddit user
This is next level fucked up. There isn't evidence that the assault didn't happen, just that there is CCTV footage of her hugging and leaving the office calmly. You can understand the assault case being dropped on this account, but to have her in prisoned on this account is insane. Why would a woman ever come forward that she has been assaulted, when not only may she not be believed, but also face a prison sentence if it can't be proven?
For reference Seungri got the same sentence for sex trafficking - Reddit user
The case serves as a rallying point for broader discussions on gender inequality and justice in South Korean society.
Somyi's Transition and Current Endeavors After Leaving DIA
Somyi joined DIA in April 2017, participating in several comebacks until March 2019. She took a hiatus from the group due to health reasons and eventually left in January 2022.
Currently, she works as a broadcasting jockey (BJ) on PandaTV under the name "Chomyi," a decision that has drawn mixed reactions from fans due to the platform's adult content and the departure from her previous idol image.
KpopStarz owns this article
Written by Cassidy Jones
