Suicide of Actress

Time to Eradicate Exploitation of EntertainersThe death of young actress Jang Ja-yeon has sent shockwaves throughout the country not only because it was suicide but also because she was seen as a victim of exploitation. Her death seemed to be cast aside as another suicide case driven by depression. But, police investigations have begun to reveal that there is a much more shocking story behind her tragedy.Jang, 30, hanged herself at her home in Bundang, just south of Seoul, March 7. Of course, the suicide itself was shocking news as the actress had just started enjoying fame from her supporting role in the popular KBS TV drama, ``Boy Over Flowers.'' Her family members said she suffered from depression, one of the typical causes of suicide. And the police were on the verge of concluding the case. But that was not the true story. Her former manager, Yoo Jang-ho, claimed that there were ``more specific reasons'' behind the starlet's death, making public her alleged handwritten letters sent to him last month. It was surprising to read that Jang's letters disclosed that she was beaten and forced to serve drinks, act as an escort at golf matches and have sex with several program directors, media executives and CEOs of large businesses.There still exists doubt about why she wrote the letters that look like statements in preparation for litigation. Thus, police have to conduct a thorough investigation into the case in order to get to the bottom of it. It is hard to rule out the possibility that Jang wrote the letters in cooperation with Yoo, who has a legal dispute with her last entertainment agency. Yoo once belonged to the agency and left to start with his own firm. It was also reported that Yoo had tried to sign her to his firm.But, Kim Sung-hoon, head of Jang's last agency, was quoted as claiming that the letters were fabricated, adding that Yoo made up the letters out of his disgruntlement over four criminal and civil lawsuits filed against him. It is not desirable to jump to a quick conclusion since a police investigation is still under way to determine what was the real cause of her suicide. What's for certain is that the showbiz community is again hit by allegations about corruption and exploitation. In fact, show business has long been shadowed by undue power wielded by program directors of broadcasting companies and managers of promotional agencies. It has been frequently reported that entertainment agencies offered bribes and sexual favors to program directors in a bid to help their entertainers appear on TV dramas and programs. It has also been common for agencies to exploit their entertainers under ``slave contracts.''That is, there has been a ``food chain'' preying on singers, actors and actresses, fashion models and other entertainers. As is shown in Jang's letters, no one can deny that a large number of entertainers, especially newcomers, are usually subject to exploitation by their agencies and program directors. Female entertainers are often allegedly forced to have sex with so-called showbiz VIPs.Fiercer competition among entertainment agencies and entertainers' excessive desire for quick fame are partly to blame for the rampant corruption and exploitation. We hope Jang's death serves as a catalyst to cut the exploitative chain. Korean pop culture has created a boom among Asian people since the 1990s. But it is impossible to keep the boom if the entertainment industry is mired in corruption and exploitation. It's time for the industry to be reborn as a true creator of pop culture through fair competition and good practice.