As tvN's variety series Sixth Sense: City Tour begins filming a new season, the legal representative for a past sexual assault victim publicly criticized CJ ENM's response.
On the 23rd, attorney Lee Eun-ui, representing victim A, claimed in a statement: "PD Jung Chul-min forcibly assaulted a staff member on last year's Sixth Sense: City Tour 2 team and then immediately removed the victim from the show."
The victim's side said Jung has denied the allegations, but CJ ENM's internal process and the prosecution's view differed. Attorney Lee stated, "CJ ENM disciplined Jung Chul-min for workplace sexual harassment based on conduct he acknowledged, and prosecutors rejected Jung's account as untrue and indicted him on charges of forcible indecent assault (gangje-chuhaeng)."
They also criticized the company's follow-up actions. Attorney Lee continued, "Even so, CJ ENM did not remove Jung from the program," adding, "instead, together with the Sixth Sense: City Tour production, they issued a press release implying they would prove the accusation was false, which humiliated and intimidated the victim."
The statement further alleged it was released without the full production staff's consent: "No one could object to the CP (chief producer)'s statement. CJ ENM allowed this secondary victimization to happen."
The remarks surfaced just as filming for the new season of Sixth Sense: City Tour got underway. tvN held the first shoot at a location in Seoul the same day. The new season is being prepared under the name Sixth Sense: B-Side, with changes to its time slot and cast lineup.
According to tvN, "Yoo Jae-suk, Song Eun-i, Go Kyung-pyo, and BIBI will appear," adding, "we will share specific details once they are confirmed." PD Park Sang-eun, who co-directed last season, will helm the show, while Jung Chul-min, who has led the series, will participate as CP, overseeing the program overall.
The victim's side voiced strong concern about Jung taking part in the new season. Attorney Lee said, "While the program, still embracing the perpetrator, prepared a new season and began filming, the victim was left neglected and isolated within CJ ENM." Lee added, "After the sexual violence, the victim's career was cut off and relationships were destroyed. The show claimed to deliver healthy laughter and contribute to a fair society, but in reality it has been stained by a female worker's tears and wounds and by solidarity with the perpetrator." Lee further asked, "How can you justify pushing ahead with a follow-up series that protects the perpetrator?" and urged, "CJ ENM should also disclose what discussions it had with the cast, including Yoo Jae-suk."
Meanwhile, the first trial for PD Jung Chul-min—who was sent to court on charges of forcible indecent assault stemming from a Sixth Sense: City Tour 2 team dinner last year—was held in April. Considering the sensitivity of the matter, the court switched to a closed hearing.