Scams and regulatory issues impact celebrity impersonation and entertainment sectors

In South Korea, an actress working as an extra was defrauded of 35 million won after falling victim to a romance scam involving an individual impersonating actor Lee Dong-wook. The scammer used social media and KakaoTalk to build a fake relationship over eight months, using romantic language and promises of meeting family to gain trust. The victim was coerced into paying various fees under the guise of customs charges for expensive gifts, eventually exhausting her savings. Lee Dong-wook’s agency, Kingkong by Starship, issued a statement clarifying that the actor would never request money or personal information via private accounts.

Simultaneously, in China, investigations into the ‘script kill’ (Jubensha) industry have revealed widespread regulatory failures regarding ‘romance companionship’ services. Reports indicate that some venues are offering sexually suggestive experiences, including physical contact and simulated BDSM, within private rooms. These services often bypass age verification, allowing minors access to environments involving soft pornography and physical aggression. Critics are calling for stricter enforcement of real-name registration and specialized inspections to address these safety and moral concerns.