Wave has released the country's first lesbian dating reality show, "Your Dating," featuring Lee Won, who has posted an official apology amid past controversies.
Lee Won stated through her social media on the 29th, "From 2016 to 2018, for about 2 years, and from November 2021 to March 2022, for about 4 months, and from February 2024 to September, for about 7 months, I have conducted private content broadcasts. During my broadcasting activities, I also went on a dinner date a total of 6 times, and all meetings were conducted as healthy dining gatherings without physical contact."
Regarding my gender identity, "I am a woman who loves women. I first became aware of my sexual orientation in middle school and had my first serious relationship with a woman for 2 years and 6 months. However, after that, wanting to deny myself, I also dated both women and Namsung."
Recently, allegations have arisen in online communities that Lee Won, who is currently appearing on "Your Dating," was active as a broadcast BJ in the past. It was claimed that she not only conducted broadcasts with high levels of exposure but also had inappropriate meetings with viewers, leading to claims that she is heterosexual, stirring up the online community.
Ultimately, Lee Won stated, "I had a long relationship with a woman until June 2024, and afterward, with a feeling of denial, I met a Namsung in August. Whenever I wanted to break up, I faced threats of exposure of my orientation to acquaintances and family, as well as threats of physical violence, confinement, hacking, and even death threats," drawing attention.
"Your Dating" is the country's first lesbian dating reality show, newly presented by the team that previously created the highly talked-about "Other's Dating" featuring male dating realities. The first two episodes were exclusively released on Wave on the 25th, but controversy over the cast has brought the show into scrutiny.
Here is Lee Won's full statement.
Hello. I am Kim Lee Won, a cast member of "Your Dating."
First, I sincerely apologize to my fellow cast members, the production crew, those who support me, and all viewers for causing distress and inconvenience. Before causing further harm, I would like to directly address the facts and offer my apologies.
I have conducted private content broadcasts for about 2 years from 2016, about 4 months from November 2021 to March 2022, and about 7 months from February to September 2024, totaling about 3 years. Additionally, during my broadcasting activities, I went on a total of 6 dinner dates, and all meetings were conducted as healthy dining gatherings without physical contact. To prove this, I ensured to broadcast on those days and kept records.
However, despite my personal circumstances, I sincerely apologize for disappointing many people by participating in the program without informing the production team of this past due to my greed.
I would also like to address my sexual orientation. I am a woman who loves women. I first became aware of my sexual orientation in middle school and had my first serious relationship with a woman for 2 years and 6 months. However, later on, driven by a desire to deny myself, I also dated both women and Namsung.
I had a long relationship with a woman until June 2024, and afterward, with a feeling of denial, I met a Namsung in August. That person initially helped by organizing my broadcast videos, but every time I wanted to break up, I faced threats of exposure of my orientation to acquaintances and family, physical assault, confinement, hacking, and death threats.
In a situation where breaking up was not easy, I desperately wanted to come out myself rather than be outed by others, which is why I applied for the program. After a meeting, we had about 2 weeks of further meetings, but since this year, I have not continued any relationship. I have hired a lawyer before my appearance and am currently preparing for a lawsuit.
The fact that I had inappropriate broadcasts in the past and that I met a Namsung before filming are all true, with no excuses. I currently have another job, and I thought all traces of those past broadcasts were cleaned up, so with my selfish desire to now acknowledge my identity as a lesbian, I participated in the program.
As a result, I deeply apologize for causing harm to the program and hurting the precious cast and production team. The cast and production team also knew nothing of my past and have, in fact, been the ones who suffered.
I feel very sorry for having tarnished the great significance of being the country's first lesbian dating program. It pains me sincerely that my actions could create misconceptions about LGBTQ+ individuals.
All of this stems from my personal selfishness and inappropriate past. All LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as those involved with the program and viewers, are victims in this situation. All responsibility falls entirely on me.
Once again, I deeply apologize to everyone who has been hurt because of me. I am truly sorry.
[Photo] SNS
[OSEN]