Produce 101's Ahn Jon Young and Kim Yong Bum Indicted For Manipulation Charges
The Seoul Central District Court officially confirmed on May 29 the convictions for eight men, which include Ahn Joon Young and Kim Yong Bum, in the case of manipulation of the "Produce 101" show.
PD (production director) Ahn Joon Young and CP (chief producer) Kim Yong Bum were recently accused of leveraging and manipulating viewers' votes for "Produce 101." Ahn Joon Young was also accused of collecting money from members of media giants at an adult entertainment lounge.
The prosecutors recently requested three years in prison for Ahn Joon Young and Kim Yong Bum during most of the sentencing proceedings for the case on May 12. The prosecutors also asked two years in jail for assistant PD Lee Mi Kyung, and one year in prison for five workers and members of the department.
All eight members have been present for the 29 May sentencing hearing. "We condemn them as guilty on all charges," the judge declared. Kim Yong Bum was sentenced to one year and eight months, and Ahn Joon Young got a two-year term.
PD Lee Mi Kyung obtained a maximum fine of 10 million won (around $8,081), 2 members of entertainment agencies "Kim" and "Kim" earned 5 million won fines (around $4,041). Three representatives of entertainment agencies, "Lee," "Kim," and "Ryu," received 7 million won fines (around $5,657). Consequently, Ahn Joon Young started to receive a 36 million won fine (about $29.093).
On the evaluation of the trial of CP Kim Yong Bum and PD Ahn Joon Young, the judge claimed, "Kim Yong Bum should really have guided the way to reach the objectives of the country's producers, and he has a huge responsibility not to do anything. The personal responsibility of Ahn Joon Young as the main producer is not light, and the level of distrust of the public is great because of his unsuitable solicitation."
It was in April when the producing director (PD) of "Produce 101" Ahn Joon Young and chief producer (CP) Kim Yong Bum have refuted bribery charges.
On April 27, the Seoul Central District Courts conducted the fourth trial concerning representatives of Ahn Joon Young, Kim Yong Bum, and CJ ENM over the infringement by entertainment agency officials of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.
Ahn Joon Young acknowledged during the proceedings that he had met with members of the organization for drinks but related the meeting to cultivating social relations and not seeking bribery.
Ahn Joon Young excused himself, saying, "I am deeply sorry and reflect [on my actions]. It was distressing that I was unable to apologize profusely to those who got hurt. I'm so sorry."
Ahn Joon Young and Kim Yong Bum had initially been accused of manipulating the viewers' votes for "Produce 101." Ahn Joon Young was also accused of collecting money from members of entertainment companies at an adult entertainment lounge.
