Lee Byung-hun and GLAM’s Dahee Scandal: Exclusive Netizen Insights

Lee Byung-hun and GLAM’s Dahee Scandal: Exclusive Netizen Insights

The blackmail scandal involving actor Lee Byung-hun, former GLAM member Kim Da-hee (also known by her BJ name, Kim Si-won), and model Lee Ji-yeon remains one of the most talked-about controversies in recent Korean entertainment history. Below is a compilation of netizen-sourced information and official reports that piece together what happened behind the scenes. Please note that while many details have been confirmed through police statements and court rulings, some accounts originate from online communities and may include personal interpretations.

1. How It Began: Club Introduction and Filmed Conversation

• Initial Meeting:
  According to multiple netizen posts and media coverage, Kim Da-hee (then a GLAM member) and model Lee Ji-yeon were introduced to Lee Byung-hun via a club owner. The three allegedly met at Lee Byung-hun’s home, where they drank alcohol.
• Recorded Conversation:
  During their gathering, Lee Byung-hun reportedly engaged in “suggestive banter” (음담패설), asking questions such as “Which part of a man turns you on the most?” and similar topics. Da-hee and Lee Ji-yeon recorded portions of this conversation on a smartphone without his consent.
• Blackmail Attempt:
  Armed with the explicit video, Da-hee and Lee Ji-yeon demanded 5 billion KRW (often reported as 50억 원) from Lee Byung-hun, threatening to release the footage online if he did not pay. The two later admitted to the blackmail attempt when questioned by law enforcement.

2. Police Investigation and Evidence Seizure

• Nighttime Arrest:
  After receiving Lee Byung-hun’s complaint, the police monitored Da-hee and Lee Ji-yeon for several days. Reports suggest officers conducted a stakeout near Da-hee’s residence. When they noticed the suspects ordering late-night takeout (jjajangmyeon), they swiftly proceeded with a “midnight raid”—arresting the two and confiscating cell phones and a laptop.
• Evidence Found:
  While initial searches did not immediately turn up the alleged video, law enforcement eventually seized a laptop and phone belonging to model Lee Ji-yeon. Cyber investigators at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency confirmed that footage involving Lee Byung-hun was discovered on these devices. This evidence strengthened the blackmail charges.

3. Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

• Admission of Guilt:
  Both Da-hee and Lee Ji-yeon acknowledged their involvement in the extortion plot. They cited Lee Byung-hun’s “world star status” as the reason for demanding such a large sum.
• Court Outcome:
  In the first trial, Da-hee received a prison sentence, but on appeal, the verdict was reduced to one year of imprisonment with two years of probation (a suspended sentence). Consequently, Da-hee avoided serving a full prison term. Meanwhile, GLAM disbanded in 2015 as a direct fallout from the scandal.

4. Aftermath: Da-hee’s Transformation into Kim Si-won, Top AfreecaTV BJ

• Rebranding as a BJ (Broadcast Jockey):
  Following her legal ordeal, Da-hee adopted the name Kim Si-won and re-emerged on AfreecaTV. She focused on singing and live-streaming, stating her love for music motivated her to start broadcasting again.
• Record-Breaking Earnings:
  In late 2021, Kim Si-won (Da-hee) garnered immense attention for receiving over 7.4 billion KRW worth of virtual gifts (known as 별풍선, or “star balloons”) in a single month—making her the platform’s top-earning BJ at that time. This surprising turnaround sparked debate online about the rapid redemption and wealth she managed to accumulate just a few years after the scandal.

5. Lee Byung-hun’s Public Statement and His Wife, Lee Min-jung

• Immediate Police Report:
  Lee Byung-hun did not pay the demanded money; he instead filed a complaint with the police, accelerating the investigation and leading to the arrests.
• No Direct Statement from Lee Min-jung:
  Throughout the scandal, Lee Byung-hun’s wife, actress Lee Min-jung, did not release any direct comment. Media outlets noted that the incident occurred less than a year after their marriage in September 2013, intensifying public interest in her perspective.
• Lee Byung-hun’s Position:
  Via his agency BH Entertainment, Lee Byung-hun expressed that he felt deeply betrayed by acquaintances (described as “younger friends of an acquaintance”) who resorted to blackmail. The agency confirmed that the suspects admitted guilt and that the police had secured relevant evidence.

6. Public Reaction and Ongoing Debate

• Netizen Responses:
  News of Da-hee’s involvement as the “girl group member” who had blackmailed a top actor caused a major stir. Online communities exploded with questions about the nature of the footage and doubts about the 50억 KRW demand. After Da-hee’s pivot to BJ Kim Si-won, discussions often revolved around “second chances,” “moral responsibility,” and the complexity of online celebrity culture.
• Industry Impact:
  • GLAM Disbandment: The group officially dissolved in 2015, prompting speculation that the scandal had a decisive impact on its future.
  • Lee Byung-hun’s Image: Despite being the victim of blackmail, certain portions of the public criticized him for engaging in lurid conversations and for being in a compromising situation while married. Over time, Lee Byung-hun has continued to work on high-profile projects, and public sentiments have largely moved on, though the incident remains a well-known part of his past controversies.

Key Takeaways

1. Blackmail Plot: Da-hee and Lee Ji-yeon recorded suggestive banter involving Lee Byung-hun and attempted to extort 5 billion KRW.
2. Swift Police Action: Tight surveillance, a late-night arrest, and a digital forensics investigation led to firm legal action against the two women.
3. Aftermath: While Da-hee faced criminal charges and a suspended prison sentence, she reinvented herself as Kim Si-won, becoming a top-earning streamer on AfreecaTV.
4. Lee Byung-hun’s Response: Filed a complaint immediately, cooperated with authorities, and clarified his stance through his agency.
5. Lee Min-jung’s Silence: His wife never publicly addressed the scandal, though media attention continually highlighted her status as a newlywed at the time.

Despite the significant shock waves this scandal sent through the entertainment industry, both Lee Byung-hun and Kim Si-won (Da-hee) have moved forward with their respective careers. Nevertheless, netizens still frequently reference the case, underscoring how a single event can permanently alter public perceptions of celebrity figures in Korea.