Beginning in 2019, the Burning Sun scandal exposed a deep-seated "rape cartel" involving idols, club owners, and corrupt police.
In South Korea, where prostitution is illegal, the industry has historically grappled with the concept of "sponsorship". This involves wealthy individuals—often business moguls or foreign investors—providing financial support or career advancements to trainees and idols in exchange for sexual favors. Beginning in 2019, the Burning Sun scandal exposed
Investigations have identified "sponsorship brokers" who target up-and-coming celebrities, offering them large sums—sometimes ranging from 600,000 to millions of won—per encounter with a "client". 2. The Burning Sun Scandal: A Turning Point Beginning in 2019