Former Idol Member Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Filming, Appeals Conviction

A former member of a male idol group, who was put on trial for illegally filming sexual acts with his girlfriend, has submitted an appeal following his prison sentence for sex crimes and arrest in court.

According to the legal community on the 7th, A, who faced charges under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act for filming without consent, recently filed an appeal.

On the 30th, the Seoul Western District Court sentenced Choi (28), a former idol group member, to one and a half years in prison for violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, which includes illegal filming and distribution. Additionally, Choi was ordered to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs and faced a three-year restriction on employment in institutions related to children and youth. Judge Hong arrested Choi immediately after the sentencing, citing concerns about potential flight risk.

The court stated, "Illegal filming of the victim's naked body results in extreme sexual shame and can cause irreversible damage if circulated." Although Choi made a criminal deposit, the victims expressed their desire for a severe punishment. "The illegal filming has not been circulated, and Choi has no prior convictions for similar offenses," the court explained the reasoning behind the sentence.

A is accused of filming multiple sexual encounters with B, his partner from July 2022 to May 2023, including major body parts. Choi reportedly used a silent camera application to record the acts after persuading the victim to engage in sex while wearing an eye patch. There are three victims in total.

In May, the prosecution sought a three-year prison term for A. At that time, Choi appealed for leniency, expressing remorse and acknowledging the gravity of his actions.

Choi was a member of a five-member idol group that debuted in 2017 but was suspended for health reasons in 2019. The group is currently inactive due to various factors, including member departures.