International audiences can watch the documentary on the BBC World Service YouTube channel.
The investigative team at BBC World Service, known as BBC Eye, has debuted an impactful documentary called Burning Sun, featuring new revelations about sex scandals tied to high-profile K-Pop celebrities discovered by two courageous female Korean reporters.
This one-hour film follows the challenging experiences of reporters Park Hyo Sil and Kang Kyung Yoon from Seoul, who uncovered deeply troubling secrets at a significant risk to themselves.
In 2016, Park Hyo Sil pursued allegations made by Jung Joon Young‘s girlfriend, who accused him of secretly recording their private acts. After the initial allegations were withdrawn, Park Hyo Sil suffered public backlash, cyber harassment, and personal hardships, including two miscarriages.
The unrevealed scandal resurfaced in 2019 when insider data from Jung’s phone was disclosed to Kang Kyung Yoon, an SBS journalist. The subsequent investigation into the phone content brought to light explicit videos and incriminating conversations between Jung and other notable K-Pop figures such as Choi Jong Hoon, expressing sexual violence and alluding to police complicity.
The Burning Sun documentary by BBC illustrates the downfall of these stars who were once perceived as invincible, thanks to Kang’s tenacious pursuit of justice. The reportage led to other survivors stepping forward and ultimately resulted in significant legal repercussions for the accused. Kang, however, was subjected to a severe online backlash, similar to Park’s.
The documentary Burning Sun is available for UK viewers on BBC iPlayer and globally on the BBC World Service YouTube channel. A Korean-language edition can be found on the BBC News Korean YouTube channel, and it is slated for television broadcast on the BBC News TV channel in June 2024.
For further information on the documentary, you can visit the BBC News website or tune into the six-episode podcast series Intrigue: Burning Sun on BBC Sounds and various podcast services. The production is helmed by Kai Lawrence and executed by Monica Garnsey, Mustafa Khalili, and Kavita Puri, with Marc Perkins carrying out the editing duties.
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FAQ Section
- Where can I watch the BBC documentary “Burning Sun”?
- You can watch it on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on the BBC World Service YouTube channel internationally. There’s also a Korean version available on the BBC News Korean YouTube channel.
- What is the documentary about?
- “Burning Sun” delves into sex scandals involving K-Pop stars uncovered by reporters Park Hyo Sil and Kang Kyung Yoon, highlighting the legal implications and the backlash faced by the journalists.
- Will the documentary be aired on TV?
- Yes, “Burning Sun” is scheduled to air on the BBC News TV channel in June 2024.
- Is there additional content related to the documentary?
- Yes, there is a six-part podcast series titled “Intrigue: Burning Sun” available on BBC Sounds and other podcast platforms.
Conclusion
The BBC’s “Burning Sun” documentary unveils the grim reality behind the glitz and glamour of the K-Pop world, where some celebrities led lives tarnished by scandalous acts. Through never-before-seen footage and poignant storytelling, the film honors the bravery of the female reporters who pursued the truth, often at great personal cost. As it becomes internationally accessible, this documentary offers a critical look at the intersection of celebrity, power, and justice, resonating with audiences around the world and encouraging a deeper conversation about the challenges faced by whistleblowers and journalists in the fight against systemic abuse and corruption.