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Lee Youn-taek

The fall, when it came, was a piece of theater in itself. Lee Youn-taek, the 66-year-old former artistic director for the Yeonhee Street Theatre Troupe, took the stage on the morning of Feb. 19 at 30 Studio in Seoul’s Myeongnyun neighborhood. A leading light of South Korean theater who has been dubbed a “master” and “cultural guerrilla” in the past, Lee was facing the heaviest spotlight ever in his decades-long theatrical career – but the camera flashes were taking in his final moments in the field. Facing an onslaught of sexual misconduct accusations, Lee delivered a public apology that day.

“I sincerely apologize to those who have been harmed by me in the past. I am ashamed and mortified,” he said.

“I intend to submit to any punishment, including legal responsibility,” he added.

On Feb. 14, Lee Su-hee, leader of the Miin theater group, accused Lee Youn-taek of sexual assault under the guise of a “massage.” The situation escalated after an actress pseudonymously identified as “Kim Bo-ri” alleged on Feb. 17 that she had been sexually assaulted by Lee on two occasions in 2001 and 2002.

Lee admitted acting inappropriately with his “massages,” but denied committing rape.

“There was sexual intercourse, but not sexual assault. The intercourse was consensual,” he claimed.

Arguing that he had been unjustly accused, Lee said, “I would rather that the truth came to light based on legal procedure. If the statute of limitations has elapsed, I want to undergo some other form of legal hearing.” Following his denial, another victim who allegedly had an abortion after being sexually assaulted by Lee posted a message to social media under her real name after the press conference.

“In 2005, I became pregnant and quietly had an abortion. After learning about the abortion, [Lee] gave me maybe 2 million won [US$1,870] and said he was sorry,” the victim wrote. “He didn’t lay a hand on me for a while after that, but he began sexually assaulting me again once the incident had been more or less forgotten.”

Lee dismissed the allegations as “untrue,” but when asked how many alleged victims of sexual assault had been counted, he replied, “Frankly, I don’t know.”

“This claim [by Lee Youn-taek] about it being consensual intercourse rather than assault is evidence of decades of him making full use of his power and influence,” said Seol Yu-jin, head of the theater group 907.

Another director who asked to remain anonymous explained, “You can’t say it wasn’t sexual assault just because it did not involve the use of physical overpowering or violence.”

“I hope Lee Youn-taek realizes that for the victim, it’s assault simply because of the power and status he possesses,” the director said.

The incident has set off major shock waves with its revelations about rampant sexual misconduct in the theatrical community. Lee described his own actions as “customary,” explaining, “I think these were very bad actions that took place habitually over the course of nearly 18 years of life in theater.”

“While there may have been some times when I did things without knowing they were serious offenses, there may have been other times when I felt a sense of guilt about my failure to control my unwholesome desires,” he said.

Since the first allegations against Lee, a “Me Too” movement has begun gaining traction with claims of sexual assault by other powerful figures. Additional messages on social media have alleged assault by another figure of more or less equal standing in the theatrical community to Lee’s, with as well as a producer who was previously a famous actor.

Many are claiming the theater world’s insular structure – operating mostly in troupe units – contributed to Lee’s ability to continue openly committing sexual assaults for close to 20 years. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one theater critic took aim at a hierarchical structure that prevents sexual assaults from being reported.

“Theater actors go to work in troupes after graduating from school, starting from the very bottom with cleaning and other duties before making their way on stage,” the critic explained.

“In the Yeonhee Street Theatre Troupe, being targeted by Lee Youn-taek would mean you may not end up on stage, or you might have to leave the troupe.”

Fifteen minutes before the press conference that day, actress Lee Seung-bi posted a message on social media in which she claimed to have sexually assaulted by Lee Youn-taek while he was serving as director of the National Theater of Korea, when he forced her to stay behind in the practice room for “voice training.”

“My boyfriend at the time was part of the chorus for that performance, and he didn’t say anything [after hearing about the assault] because he was with the Yeonhee Street Theatre Troupe,” Lee Seung-bi said.

Another factor cited by observers is the “pyramid” structure of the theater community, where a single powerful director ends up enjoying absolute authority.

“Even when [an assault victim] left the troupe, they would often find it difficult to join another one or to win a part through auditions once the influence of a powerful director like Lee Youn-taek came into play,” said a director speaking on condition of anonymity.

Some observers claim members of the theatrical community are unaware of misdeeds committed in the name of “art” amid interactions during the long time spent together while preparing for a production. In a second message posted on the evening of Feb. 18, Kim Bo-ri wrote that Lee “was the teacher who taught me about acting and a professor at the university I attended. He wasn’t just a director, he was a teacher and a figure I respected. In some ways, that prevented me from daring to speak out.”

Because of the difficulty of surviving in theater once blacklisted by a powerful director, some end up becoming bystanders – or even co-conspirators – to sexual assault. It’s a factor that has contributed to a repeated cycle where assault allegations that are raised tend to fade away. While troupe members did previously protest Lee’s sexual misconduct, they did not actively stop it from happening, sources reported.

Yeonhee Street Theatre Troupe leader Kim So-hee came under fire for her comments about her experience with Lee.

“I also received a ‘massage,’ but I didn’t think of it as being sexual misconduct. It seems to me that this situation arose out of a lack of awareness about sexual assault and strong notions about ‘artistic teachers,’” Kim said at the time.

Kim Su-hee, the first person to allege sexual assault by Lee, hinted at a possible legal response after seeing his press conference.

“I’d like to pour filth in the mouth that claimed it was ‘intercourse,’ but he basically turned himself in with that press conference,” she said.

“We’re going through the next procedures,” she continued, adding that Lee should “get ready to go to prison.”

The same day, major theater groups including the Korean Playwrights Association and the Korea Theater Directors’ Association permanently expelled Lee, while the Yeonhee Street Theatre Troupe announced its disbanding. Miryang Theater Village, where Georipae operated, is also set to close its doors.

“This [incident] needs to change the arts community more than any blacklist,” said Park Sang-hyun, a professor at the Korea National University of Arts School of Drama.

By Nam Ji-eun, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]